WAVERLY, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - On the second day of the IIAC-NACC Crossover Challenge, the Loras women's volleyball team split its pair of matches, winning a dramatic five-set tilt over Lakeland, (21-25, 25-15, 20-25, 25-17, 15-10) before losing to Concordia Wisconsin in straight sets, (25-19, 25-23, 26-24). Saturday's split cements a 3–1 record for Loras on the weekend following yesterday's victories over Edgewood and Dominican. The Duhawks will take an 8-8 record into a pivotal stretch of four straight IIAC matches over the next two weeks.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Lakeland
Set One
- A series of Loras errors put Lakeland in front for a majority of the first frame as the Muskies held a 19-14 lead, prompting a timeout from head coach Jenna Ness.
- Trailing 21-17, senior Jenna Erickson led the Duhawks on a three-point run to close the deficit to one and force a Lakeland timeout.
- After the break, the Muskies regrouped and finished off Loras, scoring four of the next five points to take set one, 25-21.
Set Two
- With the score tied at 8-all in set two, the Duhawks used a 10-2 run to take control of the frame, opening an 18-10 lead.
- Loras rode this advantage to the end of the set with sophomore Claire Ritchie sealing the set win with a kill, 25-15.
Set Three
- Lakeland proved its resiliency after dropping the second set, jumping out to an early 7-1 lead.
- Following a timeout, the Duhawks made a run of their own to cut the margin down to one at 9-8.
- After opening up a 15-10 lead in the middle of the frame, the Muskies kept Loras at bay for the remainder of the third set, taking the set by a 25-20 final.
Set Four
- The hot starts continued in the fourth, but this time it was the Duhawks getting out to a 5-1 lead and forcing a Lakeland timeout.
- Three straight attacking errors in the middle of the stanza gave Loras the 16-10 advantage and forced the Muskies to burn their second timeout of the set.
- Showing no signs of slowing, the Duhawks cruised to a fourth set victory, 25-17.
Set Five
- Loras used a kill from senior Danni Kennedy and subsequent Lakeland error to take a 5-3 advantage in the deciding set.
- After being forced to take a timeout down 12-9, the Muskies struggled to find their offensive rhythm and the Duhawks took the match in dramatic fashion, winning the fifth, 15-12, and the match, 3-2.
Concordia Wisconsin
Set One
- In the last match of the weekend, CUW got off to a fast start and opened a six-point margin to take a commanding 13-7 lead.
- This margin proved to be too much to overcome for Loras as the Falcons took the opening frame, 25-19.
Set Two
- An early 9-5 lead for CUW garnered a quick timeout from the Duhawk bench.
- With Loras trailing 12-7, junior Haley Bergan led the Duhawks on a four-point run from the service line to force a Falcon timeout.
- Late in the set, CUW grabbed two quick points with the sides knotted at 23 to win 25-23.
Set Three
- The Falcon offense was firing on all cylinders in the third frame, racing out to a 19-9 lead.
- After a Loras timeout, the Duhawks found their offensive form to go on a 12-3 run and even the set at 22-all.
- In the most competitive frame of the match, the Falcons needed extra volleyball and benefited from back-to-back Loras errors to finish the set, 26-24, and complete the 3-0 sweep.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Claire Ritchie | The sophomore setter-right side from Lakeville, Minn.is turning into a triple-double machine in her time in the Purple & Gold, posting 12 kills, 22 assists and 13 digs to lead the Duhawks to a five-set victory.
Haley Bergan | Bergan was one of the few bright spots for Loras in the loss, tallying 21 digs and one service ace in the sweep. She finished the weekend with 97 digs, averaging 6.1 per set, while committing a miniscule five receiving errors.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Danni Kennedy | The senior totaled 42 kills and 12 blocks to earn her spot on the IIAC-NACC All-Tournament Team.
UP NEXT
The Duhawks will benefit from a light week with no games until next Friday. Loras returns to conference play next Friday with a pair of road contests against Central and Simpson on Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1.
