MVNU takes match from Lady Lancers
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace’s volleyball team was unable to win on Senior Day, falling 3-0 to Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Saturday.
Saturday’s match officially wrapped up the regular season, and Grace will begin the postseason starting next week. Grace, the No. 4 seed in the Crossroads League, will host St. Francis on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for the quarterfinals.
The Lady Lancers were in control of the first set — until the final points. Grace led for most of the opening set, but the lead was never more than three points.
A block from Makayla Bell and Katie Swanson put the Lady Lancers ahead 22-19, forcing MVNU to call their final timeout.
The Lady Lancers (8-7, 8-7 CL) were unable to find another point, however. MVNU scored six straight points to win 25-22, aided by five attack errors by Grace.
The second set was a similar story. Grace took a late three-point lead (21-18), but the Cougars clawed back and quickly tied the score. With the score tied at 24-24, MVNU won two quick points at the net to win 26-24 and take a two-set lead.
In the third set, the teams could barely be separated. The teams traded one or two point leads from the first serve.
The Cougars (6-7, 6-7 CL) took a late 21-19 margin, but this time it was Grace’s turn to rally. Late kills from Cassadi Colbert and Paige Eakright helped Grace tie the score at 21 apiece.
After the timeout, Eakright picked up a kill to give Grace a lead. But the Cougars struck late again with two straight kills to serve for match point at 24-23.
Grace survived the first match point thanks to a kill by Swanson. The match continued in extra points as Grace led 26-25.
But keeping with the story of the afternoon, the Cougars came through late. MVNU produced three straight kills to take the set 28-26 and secure the sweep.
Colbert led Grace’s team with 10 kills along with one solo block, and Swanson and Makaela Lochmueller each had nine kills.
Gabbey Harrington tallied 35 assists, 17 digs and 3 kills, Eakright added eight kills, and Bell notched five kills.
Defensively, Gina Novotny led all players with 27 digs, and Emily Sharp (12 digs), Grace Erwin (12) and Brittany Baize (11) also reached double figures in digs.
