Ripon, WI- The Mount Mary volleyball team opened the 2023 season Friday night with two matches at Ripon College. Several Blue Angels made their collegiate debut, and the team played stretches of very competitive volleyball. On this night, no win was in the offing however, as the Blue Angels fell to Wisconsin-Superior and Ripon College in the night's two matches.
The Yellow Jackets of UW-Superior controlled the play against Mount Mary in match number 1. The Blue Angels fell by scores of 25-15, 25-14 and 25-20. Making her collegiate debut, Elizabeth Irving paced Mount Mary with 7 kills. Brianna Ecker was the Blue Angel leader with 15 digs and Caitlyn Krell and Emma White's 8 assists were the high for MMU.
In the night's second match, Mount Mary took on the host Red Hawks of Ripon College. Set one was as close as possible, with Ripon pulling out a 25-23 victory. The Blue Angels rose to the occasion in set #2, pulling out a thrilling win for their first set victory of the young season, 26-24.
The host Red Hawks reclaimed the momentum in set number three, as Ripon took the third by a close 25-21 score. Finally, in the fourth set, Ripon pulled away from the Blue Angels, winning the 4th set by a score of 25-15 and ending the match.
Statistically for MMU, Elizabeth Irving once again posted the high mark in kills for Mount Mary. Irving tallied 10 kills along with 13 digs. Brianna Ecker led Mount Mary in digs with 18. In the assist column, Caitlyn Krell posted 15 to pace Mount Mary.
The Blue Angels (0-2) will have a quick turnaround into Saturday as they seek the season's first win. They will face Martin Luther College at 10 am, followed by a match against the University of Dubuque at 12 pm to conclude the Ripon College Classic. All live links and coverage can be found on www.mtmaryathletics.com
