Box Score
FOND DU LAC, Wis. - Marian University women's volleyball fell behind early but were able to come back and force a fifth set where they ultimately fell to Ripon in their season opener with set scores of 25-12, 25-13, 23-25, 25-27, and 18-16.
"I felt like we made some huge strides in maturity coming back after losing the first two sets," commented head coach Kerri Huebel following the match. "We put up a fight and it could've gone either way tonight. It's good to see our team fight and I think we proved that we belong."
The Sabres (0-1, 0-0 NACC) struggled to slow down a Ripon offense that hit .556 in the first set and .462 in the second. Marian was able to use an 8-0 run in the third set with junior defensive specialist Morgan Dercks at the service line to give the squad a spark. The Red Hawks would go on an 8-2 run later in the set to bring the score at a 22-22 draw. Marian answered, however, scoring three of the final four points of the set aided by a pair of kills from junior outside hitter Jessica Roberts to clinch the set at 25-23.
The fourth set was also a closely contested affair with the largest lead being a mere four points. Ripon was able to tie the set at 18-18 with a 5-1 run but the Sabres were able to fend off the momentum swing and eventually brought the game to a 25-25 draw. MU was then able to score the final two points of the set via a kill from Roberts and a Ripon attacking error to take the set 27-25.
The Sabres would jump ahead 12-9 in the final stanza only to have Ripon score three unanswered points to bring the score to an even 12-12. A clutch kill from freshman outside hitter Hannah Buntrock gave Marian a match point at 14-13, but the Red Hawks were able to fend off the match point and score five of the final seven points to take the match at 18-16.
Roberts started slowly but was able to produce a team-high 19 kills with a .279 hitting percentage. Junior outside hitter Catelyn Brehm and Buntrock each were able to chip in double-digit kills with 16 and 10, respectively.
In the back row, sophomore setter Amber Baker was able to dig up a team-high 14 balls, while senior libero Katrina Jansen compiled 11 digs. Baker was also able to assist on 38 kills in the match.
"Hannah brings a ton of energy and I'm hoping our kids can feed off her," commented Huebel. "She has some great volleyball knowledge and she's strong. She has that presence on the court we need. "
The Sabres return to action this weekend as they travel to the Lake Forest Tournament. MU opens the tournament against MSOE at 6 p.m. and Wisconsin-River Falls at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.
Marian Athletics
www.sabreathletics.com|| Twitter: @MUSabres || Facebook: MU Sabre Athletics
Sport: Women's Volleyball || Contact: Brandon Bodart || blbodart99@marianuniversity.edu ||
920-604-0674
For Immediate Release
September 2, 2015
Sabres come back falls short in season opener
FOND DU LAC, Wis. – Marian University women's volleyball fell behind early but were able to come back and force a fifth set where they ultimately fell to Ripon in their season opener with set scores of 25-12, 25-13, 23-25, 25-27, and 18-16.
"I felt like we made some huge strides in maturity coming back after losing the first two sets," commented head coach Kerri Huebel following the match. "We put up a fight and it could've gone either way tonight. It's good to see our team fight and I think we proved that we belong."
The Sabres (0-1, 0-0 NACC) struggled to slow down a Ripon offense that hit .556 in the first set and .462 in the second. Marian was able to use an 8-0 run in the third set with junior defensive specialist Morgan Dercks at the service line to give the squad a spark. The Red Hawks would go on an 8-2 run later in the set to bring the score at a 22-22 draw. Marian answered, however, scoring three of the final four points of the set aided by a pair of kills from junior outside hitter Jessica Roberts to clinch the set at 25-23.
The fourth set was also a closely contested affair with the largest lead being a mere four points. Ripon was able to tie the set at 18-18 with a 5-1 run but the Sabres were able to fend off the momentum swing and eventually brought the game to a 25-25 draw. MU was then able to score the final two points of the set via a kill from Roberts and a Ripon attacking error to take the set 27-25.
The Sabres would jump ahead 12-9 in the final stanza only to have Ripon score three unanswered points to bring the score to an even 12-12. A clutch kill from freshman outside hitter Hannah Buntrock gave Marian a match point at 14-13, but the Red Hawks were able to fend off the match point and score five of the final seven points to take the match at 18-16.
Roberts started slowly but was able to produce a team-high 19 kills with a .279 hitting percentage. Junior outside hitter Catelyn Brehm and Buntrock each were able to chip in double-digit kills with 16 and 10, respectively.
In the back row, sophomore setter Amber Baker was able to dig up a team-high 14 balls, while senior libero Katrina Jansen compiled 11 digs. Baker was also able to assist on 38 kills in the match.
"Hannah brings a ton of energy and I'm hoping our kids can feed off her," commented Huebel. "She has some great volleyball knowledge and she's strong. She has that presence on the court we need. "
The Sabres return to action this weekend as they travel to the Lake Forest Tournament. MU opens the tournament against MSOE at 6 p.m. and Wisconsin-River Falls at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.
