Alice Lloyd Eagles Volleyball earns first victory in Indiana

Saint Mary of the Woods, IN: On September 1^st-2^nd, the Alice Lloyd College Lady Eagles volleyball team (1-5) journeyed to west-central Indiana to participate in a quartet of matches hosted by River States Conference foe Saint Mary of the Woods. Below are recaps of each contest.

September 1^st

Game One

ALC- 0; IUPUC-3

Against the newest River States opponent, Indiana University-Columbus (Crimson Pride), the Lady Eagles kept things tight early. In set 1, a kill by ALC's TK Ellis knotted the score at 9-9. However, the Indiana squad would roll off a big 11-2 burst to pull ahead 20-11. The Kentucky ladies would slice the deficit in half, but the Crimson Pride would hold on for the 25-19 win.

In set 2, the Pippa Passes club looked impressive early as they jumped to a quick lead. Later, they would extend it to five points (14-9). Unfortunately, IU-Columbus would reel off eight unanswered points to change the momentum and pull ahead, 17-14.  A kill from ALC's Tianna Wesley would reduce the deficit to just one (18-17), but the Hoosier club would finish with a 7-1 flurry to win, 25-18.

In set 3, with IUC nursing a slim 6-4 edge, Columbus would put the contest out of reach by scoring eleven consecutive points (17-4). From there, they would slam the door shut and take the match, 25-9.

On the day, Kylie Ward and Brooklyn Cheek each had 6 kills, while Kristin Isaac handed out 11 assists.  In addition, Caroline Parsons (11) and Ellis (10) led in digs. In addition, Ward and Cheek contributed 2 blocks each, and Ward smacked the lone ace.

Game Two

ALC -0; Kalamazoo-3

ALC would put up a good fight but eventually fall to the Michigan squad in straight sets.

In set 1, Kalamazoo would double the score early at 12-6, then increase it to eight (20-12). The gutsy Bluegrass crew would refuse to fold and get the score closer. The Lady Eagles would claw their way back but eventually dropped the opener to the Hornets, 25-19.

In set 2, the Lady Eagles knew the importance of the set as they battled furiously. The game was tight throughout, and when Kalamazoo committed an error, the scoreboard read 18-18.  Later, a second error by the Michigan crew still found ALC trailing by only one (23-22). The contest was still up for grabs. Disappointingly, at this important juncture, the Lady Hornets came through with a huge kill (24-22). An error by the Kentucky club suddenly made the score 25-23.

In set 3, the Caney Creek club appeared to be running out of steam as the Hornets quickly gained control with a 9-1 opening run. Their lead was never in doubt as they held on to seal the match, 25-15.

On the day, Isaac and Taylor Hamilton led ALC with 7 assists each. Wesley and Ward delivered 6 and 5 kills, while Parsons dominated the match in digs (17). Akira Keathley contributed the single block, while Ward, Parsons, and Gracie Gibson each had 1 ace.

September 2nd

Game One

ALC- 3; Principia-0

On a new day, against NCAA DIII Principia (IL), the Lady Eagles came out of the gate ready to play.  In set 1, with the score tied at 6-6, ALC would unleash a big 13-3 spurt to leap ahead 19-9. From that point, the Kentucky squad would cruise to the 25-13 win.

In set 2, the Pippa Passes club rolled off four quick kills to run ahead 9-2. They would keep the pressure on as another flurry of kills propelled them to a 20-8 cushion. The contest was never in doubt as they rolled to the 25-14 victory.

In set 3, the Caney Creek club vaulted ahead 16-5, and the sweep seemed assured. To their credit, the Illinois club fought back, knowing a win was necessary to keep the contest alive. Principia would actually get within three (23-20), but Alice Lloyd regrouped to close the match with an ace and kill to chalk up the victory in the win column.

For the contest,  Ward and Wesley led the victors with 7 and 5 kills, respectively, while Isaac led ALC with 13 assists.  In addition, Parsons (10) and Gibson (8) paved the way in digs. Keathley contributed 2 blocks each, while Ward and Gibson smacked four aces apiece.

Game Two

ALC -0; Goshen-3

ALC would drop the final contest to a solid Goshen (IN) club in three straight games.

In set 1, Goshen would pull out to a 19-12 lead, only to watch the Pippa Passes ladies roar back to get within three at 23-20. The Hoosier squad would then refocus and end the game with consecutive kills to win 23-20.

In set 2, the Goshen girls opened by scoring 11 consecutive points. They would then maintain the advantage on their way to a 25-13 win.

In set 3, the Caney Creek club simply looked gassed as GU scored fast and frequently. They would seal the contest with a kill to close the door on a 25-5 victory.

On the day, Cheek led with 4 kills, while Isaac led ALC with 6 assists.  Parsons (8) and Ellis (7) were the leaders in digs. Ward and Ellis both produced 2 blocks, while Parsons had double aces.