The Valparaiso University volleyball team found its attack slowed down by league-leading Cleveland State Friday evening in Cleveland, Ohio, as the Vikings dealt the Crusaders a 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-17) defeat.
How It Happened
- Valpo went toe-to-toe with the Vikings in the first set and led 18-16 after a block from sophomore Sydney Bronner (Frankenmuth, Mich./Frankenmuth) and junior Taylor Graboski (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky), but CSU scored the next six points as part of a set-closing 9-1 run to claim the opener.
- CSU rattled off six straight points early in the second set to extend an 8-7 lead to 14-7, and Valpo could pull no closer than five points the rest of the frame.
- The Crusaders scored the first point of the third set, but the Vikings scored the next four points and never trailed the rest of the way.
Inside the Match
- CSU limited Valpo to just 21 kills on .061 hitting for the match, as senior Emily Campbell (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) led the Crusaders with just six kills.
- Senior Morganne Longoria (Burlington, Wis./Burlington) paced Valpo with 16 digs and seven assists, while senior Tarrah Lasky (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) returned to action with six assists.
- Senior Lexie Bouza (Elgin, Ill./Burlington Central) chipped in eight digs on the back line.
- Valpo did out-block the Vikings, 8-4, led by four rejections apiece from Bronner and Graboski.
- CSU finished with 53 kills on .273 hitting, led by 14 kills on .619 hitting from Alexis Middlebrooks.
Next Up
The Crusaders (12-16, 3-8 Horizon) look to split this weekend’s road trip on Saturday afternoon as they make the short trip from Cleveland to Youngstown to face Youngstown State. First serve is slated for 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, with the match available live on ESPN3, WatchESPN and the ESPN app. Links for the live video and live stats will be available via ValpoAthletics.com.
