DAVENPORT, Iowa – IU South Bend moved a full game clear atop the CCAC standings on Friday night, as the Titans continued to roll with their seventh straight win and a straight-set sweep over St. Ambrose.
The victory brings the Titans (14-3, 10-0 CCAC) within one more win of matching the program’s all-time win streak record of eight straight, as IU South Bend captured a season sweep over the Bees (13-9, 5-6 CCAC). Hannah Marchand led the attack, scoring a match-high ten kills to go along with five total blocks on the night. McKenzie Powell registered 27 assists, and Suriya Van der Oord picked up 11 digs to lead the IUSB defense.
Throughout the first half of the opening set the Titans would maintain a narrow lead, but after two points for St. Ambrose closed the gap to 13-12, IUSB responded with 12 of the final 14 points to take the set running away, 25-14. Marchand had three kills during the run, but the South Bend defense was the difference, blocking three attacks.
The Bees briefly took the lead midway through the second set, scoring four straight to pull in front at 12-10. Back-to-back aces from Whitney Gessinger put IUSB back on top at 13-12, and the visitors would hold the lead the rest of the way. A kill from Julie Brown gave the Titans set point, and a St. Ambrose attacking errors ended the game, 25-21.
Another rally midway through the third proved to be the difference again, as the Titans scored a 6-1 run to go up 14-8. The Bees came back with four in a row before South Bend responded by scoring eight of the next ten to build their lead further, at 20-13 following a pair of SAU attack errors. A solo block by Abby Seeger ended the match, giving the Titans another 25-21 victory.
The Titans return home next Tuesday night, when they host Roosevelt. First serve with the Lakers is set for October 12 at 7:00 p.m. inside the Student Activities Center.