VU Volleyball Falls in Valley Opener

Volleyball Falls in Valley Opener

The Valpo volleyball team dominated sets one and three in its MVC opener Friday evening, but host Evansville claimed the three tightest sets, as the Purple Aces dealt the Beacons a 3-2 (15-25, 25-23, 16-25, 26-24, 15-11) defeat.

How It Happened

–          Valpo hit at a .500 clip — its best single-set mark of the season — in the opening frame. The Beacons used a 10-1 mid-set run to take the lead for good to claim the first set.

–          The second set featured 11 tie scores, the latest of which came at 20-20. The Purple Aces scored the next three points, and while the Beacons closed back to within one point twice, Evansville evened up the match at one set apiece.

–          Much like the first set, the third set featured a strong performance by Valpo on the attack, as it finished with 17 kills on .400 hitting. An 8-2 run turned a 6-6 tie into a 14-8 lead and the Beacons’ lead never fell under five points as they took a 2-1 lead in the match.

–          Evansville looked in control of set four with a 17-12 edge, but Valpo scored seven straight on the serve of senior Elise Swistek (LaPorte, Ind./New Prairie) to take a 19-17 lead.

–          The Purple Aces responded with a 5-1 spurt to go up 22-20, but the Beacons reeled off three points in a row, the last of which was an ace from junior Addy Kois (Osceola, Ind./Penn), to go up 23-22.

–          Evansville scored consecutive points to earn set point at 24-23, and while Valpo held off one set point chance, the Aces converted on their second to force a decisive fifth frame.

–          Valpo was in control at the halfway point of the fifth set, leading 8-5 at the media timeout. The Beacons extended their lead to 11-6 before Evansville reeled off nine points in a row to close out the match.

Inside the Match

–          Friday’s match was Valpo’s fifth five-setter in 13 total outings this year. The Beacons won their first two matches which went the distance, but have dropped their last three.

–          The Beacons lost on Friday despite a big advantage in the box score. Valpo tallied more kills than Evansville and committed just 19 attack errors to the Purple Aces’ 32, out-hitting UE .257-.165.

–          Freshman Jordyn Gove (Amarillo, Texas/Randall) posted a season-best 16 kills to pace Valpo while hitting at a .333 clip. Gove also picked up 10 digs and tied her season high with three blocks.

–          Fellow rookie Ava Helming (Johnston, Iowa/Johnston) joined Gove in double figures with 12 kills and matched her season best as well with four blocks.

–          Junior Sam Warren (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) hit .400 with eight kills and a season-best six digs as well.

–          Freshman Jessica Pickett (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) was in on eight of Valpo’s 12 team blocks, the second-best effort of her season.

–          The Beacons reached double figures in the blocks category for the fifth time this year.

–          Both of Valpo’s setters recorded double-doubles on Friday — sophomore Mara Thomas (Bogart, Ga./Athens Academy) notched 24 assists and 17 digs, while Kois picked up 21 assists and 11 digs.

Next Up

Valpo (8-5, 0-1 MVC) closes out its first weekend of Valley action Saturday evening at Indiana State. The match, which will be contested at the Hulman Center, is set for a 5 p.m. CT first serve.