MILWAUKEE – The Mount Mary University volleyball team hosted their second triangular in as many weeks today at the Bloechl Center. Visiting Emmaus Bible College finished the day 2-0 while Grace Christian again went 1-1 during Saturday afternoon volleyball.
In the day's opening match, the Blue Angels took on Grace Christian University (2-3). MMU jumped out to an early lead against the Tigers. After GCU tied things at 7-7, the Blue Angels went on an 8-3 run that gave them a convincing lead.
Once GCU's Abby Summerfield took over behind the service lane, the freshman went on a streak striking three service aces in her first four tries from the line. After Summerfield was done, she gave her team an 18-16 lead which the Tigers would translate into a first set win.
MMU continued to apply pressure in the second set of the match after they again grabbed an early lead. After Adrianna Nester (Jr./Anaheim, Calif.) drilled a service ace, the Blue Angels went up 10-6 on the Tigers.
GCU whittled away at the lead, and after a service ace from Dani Tanner, the Tigers went up 20-18 and would not surrender the set-lead thereafter.
MMU again grabbed the early lead in the third and final set of the first match. This time Alessa Nelson (Jr./Rockford, Ill.) drilled a service ace that gave the Blue Angels a 7-5 lead. Dani Tanner took over behind the service line for the Tigers soon after and led her team on a 9-1 run. The Tigers struck eight team kills on 27 total attacks in the set to win things 25-18 in the set.
In the day's second match, the Tigers took on Emmaus Bible College. After the Tigers took the opening set, the Eagles came from behind six points in the second set to win the next three sets on their way to a 3-1 match victory.
In the day's final match, the Blue Angels took on the undefeated Eagles. After the Blue Angels grabbed a 4-1, the Eagles nipped away and flipped the score around to 15-10. With ten team kills on 41 total attacks, Emmaus was able to win the first set 25-19.
The Eagles attacked in a similar fashion in the second set hitting 13 team kills on 34 total attacks. The Blue Angels trailed 9-6 in the second, but two long scoring stretches from their opponent gave EBC the 25-15 set win.
In the final set of the day, the Eagles took a 7-2 lead. The Blue Angels did not give in, and cut the lead to one at 10-9. Emmaus would slowly separate themselves scoring 11 kills on 44 total attacks to win the set 25-17 and the match 3-0.
Nelson led the second game with three service aces and helped her attack with three kills. Teammate Emma Carufel (Fr./St. Francis, Wis.) led the entire team on offense with four kills on 25 total attacks.
Adrianna Nester led the second match for MMU with 21 digs. While Marissa Tun (Sr./Greenfield, Wis.) led the team with five assists.
After tonight's game the Blue Angels will have a week to train before heading to Rockford University for two matches at the Rockford Invite. MMU will take on Moody Bible College and host Rockford University on Sat. Sept. 15. Live stats for the match begin at 11:00 am on MtMaryAthletics.com.
