BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Indiana Tech women's volleyball team opened play at the Holiday Inn Express Invitation, hosted by Olivet Nazarene, on Friday afternoon, falling to the University of Saint Francis (Ill.) in four sets (25-20, 26-24, 16-25, 25-22) and #7 Columbia College in four sets (25-27, 25-21, 25-21, 25-27).
 
The Warriors would have two players finish with double-digit kills against Saint Francis in Aubree Eggers (15) and Courtney Mack (11), while Madeline MacDonald finished the opening contest tied for a match leading 23 digs. Mara Zell would add a match-leading 11 assists. The Orange and Black kept things close early in the opening set before USF would gain an eight-point advantage midway. A string of explosive offensive play would put Tech within one at 19-20 before ultimately falling 20-25.
 
The second set proved to be a tight contest, with things knotted at 19-19 late. USF would seize the opportunity to take a 2-0 lead over the Warriors in the match. Tech took advantage of opponent error and strong offense to jump out 14-1 in the third set. A pair of kills from Allison Cole would continue to propel the Warriors, and a kill from Olivia Niekamp would wrap up the 25-16 decision in favor of the Orange and Black.
 
After a fast start from the Fighting Saints, Tech was able to pull within one off an attack error from USF. A late run was stopped short as Saint Francis would take the match on a 25-22 fourth set.
 
In the Warrior's match up against Columbia, both sides came out strong, immediately exchanging points in set one. The score carried on, keeping close late as things were knotted at 24 before the Warriors would go on a 3-1 run to take the 27-25 decision. Tech carried over momentum from the opening set to jump to a 9-5 lead. Columbia would put together a 9-5 run of their own to grab a five point lead at 19-14, but the Orange and Black remained within two of the Cougars before eventually surrendering the second set to the opponents.
 
Columbia was able to seize the third set 25-21 en route to a 2-1 match advantage over the Warriors heading into set four. A 7-1 run from Columbia was answered with a 10-4 Tech run, tying the score at 11-11. The remainder of the set continued to be a back and forth affair before the Cougars were able to transform a 25-25 score into a 27-25 set final and 3-1 match decision.
 
Eggers would have another 15 kill performance against Columbia and hit .737 for the match. Autumn Stokes dished out 29 assists while MacDonald added 17 digs.


Tech (7-13) returns to action at McHie Arena on Saturday as they conclude play at the Holiday Inn Express Invitation with a morning session against Grace College at 10 a.m. before concluding the day with their final match at 2 p.m. against Campbellsville University.