Milwaukee, WI- Heading into day two of the Blue Angel Bash, the Mount Mary volleyball team faced two challenging matches, against Ripon College and Rockford University. As has been the trend so far this season, the Blue Angels were competitive throughout the day but could not pull out a victory. Despite stretches of strong play, Mount Mary fell to both Ripon and Rockford.
In match one, the Red Hawks of Ripon grabbed their second win of the year over MMU by scores of 25-17, 25-20, and 25-21. Mount Mary was competitive in all three sets, but could not grab the momentum long enough for a set victory. Brianna Ecker had 8 kills and 13 digs to lead the Blue Angels, while Emma White tallied 14 assists for MMU.
In the day's second match against Rockford, Mount Mary came out on fire, taking the first set by a 25-20 score. Rockford came back to take set two by a 25-17 score to even the match.
Set three was the pivotal set in the match against the Regents. Mount Mary held a 19-11 lead, when Rockford's Brynn Atwell took the serve and the Regents scored the next 12 points of the contest. Mount Mary would not give in, but Rockford took set three by a 25-23 score. The Regents then won the fourth set by a score of 25-14 to win the match.
Brianna Ecker recorded seven kills and Elizabeth Irving and Kaitlyn Powers recorded 6 each. Emma White was the Blue Angel leader with 16 digs, and Caitlyn Krell led Mount Mary with 13 assists.
The Blue Angels (1-7) will participate in another multi-day event next weekend, this time at Lawrence University. Mount Mary will face the Sabres of Marian University on Friday, in addition to having an evening rematch with Lawrence, who MMU fell to in 5 sets in the Blue Angel Bash. Saturday will see Mount Mary face Northland College to conclude the event. Stay tuned to www.mtmaryathletics.com for all Mount Mary volleyball coverage.
