CHICAGO – Tonight at the Keating Sports Center, the Mount Mary University volleyball team lost to Illinois Tech by a score of 3-0. The Scarlet Hawks move to 4-9 on the season while the Blue Angels are now 0-6 on the young season.
To begin the first set the Blue Angels took control. Handing the opposition an early 5-point deficit to climb out of was not enough however. As the Scarlet Hawks chipped away and tied things 9-9, a service ace from Sarah Amoroso (Sr./Wauwatosa, Wis.) sparked a quick 3-point swing for MMU.
Although Mount Mary hit five team kills and four errors in their 31 total attacks, the Blue Angels were not able to withstand IIT's offense. The Scarlet Hawks leaned on the talents of Sara Hassell as Illinois Tech took back the lead and went on a 14-5 run to end the set.
The second set saw the Blue Angels give a big effort early on, but could not maintain that energy throughout. Following another Amoroso service ace, MMU cut the Scarlet Hawk lead and made things 11-10. A 14-1 run finished the Blue Angels effort in the second frame giving IIT a 2-0 lead in the match.
Mount Mary had a very balanced and accurate approach in the final set. Never having the lead, the Blue Angels refused to give in throughout the match. Hitting seven team kills and 3 errors on their 27 total attacks, MMU found themselves with one of their most accurate sets of the season.
IIT held onto the lead and finished the third set 25-19 as they got the 3-0 win at home.
Lauren Harris (Jr./Sheridan, Ill.) led the Blue Angels with six kills on 21 total attacks. Teammate Marissa Tun (Jr./Greenfield, Wis.) led the team with 13 digs.
Freshman Johnelle Suto (Enterprise, Ore.) consistently set her teammates up as she led her squad with seven assists.
Following tonight, MMU will prepare for their triangular at Beloit College. The Blue Angels will travel to Beloit, Wis. to first take on the host Buccaneers at 10:00 am on Sat. Sept. 23, then Mount Mary will take on their rival Alverno College at 2:00 pm. Live video will be made available for the first contest with live links provided at mtmaryathletics.com.
