FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Indiana Tech volleyball team dropped just two sets in their four games en route to claiming championship honors at the Liz Lykowski Memorial Tournament in Fort Wayne October 12^th-13^th.
 
The Warriors began their annual hosted tournament with a sweep of Taylor University, 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-23) on Friday afternoon. Olivia Niekamp led the contest with ten kills, while Madison Park added 20 assists. Madeline MacDonald rounded out the match with a game leading 25 digs.
 
An early first set run for the Warriors provided them with a lead they would not squander the duration of the opening frame. Back to back kills from Niekamp and Courtney Mack would provide a late four point cushion as Tech would gain the 1-0 lead. The Trojans came out energized in set two, as they kept close to the Warriors early before eventually going out 11-8. The Orange and Black would go on a four point run to regain the lead and then utilize opponent errors to get things turned around as the set wore on. A kill from Niekamp following a hot streak from the Warriors would cap things in Tech's favor 2-0. The game's final set opened with a back and forth sharing of points as the two sides found themselves knotted at 22 all late. Another Trojan error and an eventual Mack kill would put the Warriors in the winner's circle via a three game sweep.
 
In the tournament's "Liz Game" the teams honored the former Indiana Tech volleyball player with a moment of silence before first serve in the Warrior's second round against Goshen College Friday night. Tech's 3-0 (25-23, 25-12, 25-14) sweep of the Maple Leaves was highlighted by Jordan Aylward leading the contest with twelve kills, Autumn Stokes recorded a game high 25 assists and MacDonald would again lead Tech in digs with 20 on the contest.
 
The Warriors were able to see themselves out to an early 6-2 lead over their opponents, but the Maple Leaves would not stay quiet as they would push a nine all score to instigate a back and forth battle to 20-20. With a 23-22 lead, Aubree Eggers and Aylward would each come down with late kills to lock in a 1-0 advantage. A much different second set would ensure with the Orange and Black coming out strong. After jumping ahead 9-3, the Warriors would go on a tear to limit their opponent to just nine points late, leading 20-9. A strong offensive attack, and their fifteen recorded kills in the set, would put Tech in control at 2-0. The third set followed a similar pattern as set number two, as the Warriors would jump ahead early yet again. After gaining a 19-9 lead, Allison Cole would end the night's contest with Tech's second sweep of the day.
 
In the second day of the tournament, the Orange and Black found themselves up against a challenging first match opponent in Lindenwood-Belleville. Tech gained the eventual 3-2 victory (22-25, 25-14, 15-25, 25-12, 15-13) to remain perfect within tournament play. Niekamp led both teams with 16 kills with Aylward following close with 15. MacDonald recorded 28 digs on the contest and Stokes rounded out the leaders with 32 assists.
 
After back and forth play, LU-Belleville would go on a 7-1 run to put themselves ahead 15-10. Despite a late comeback attempt from the Warriors, they would fall short and drop their first set of the tournament. A much better second set would ensure for Tech as they would open the frame on their own 7-1 run. A 5-0 run would guarantee a concrete advantage for the Warriors that they would use to eventually knot things up at a set a piece. LU-Belleville would respond with their own strong play in the third set. The frame would remain close as the Orange and Black found themselves trailing just 12-11 midway. Back to back kills from Brianna Webb would aid in a run for Lynx to push them ahead 17-11. They would only go on to drop four more point to earn a now 2-1 match advantage. A little spark was in store for Tech after opening set four 9-1. Following a trio of kills from Eggers, Niekamp and Cole, Tech was able to secure the 18-8 lead which transitioned into a 25-12 fourth set advantage to force the decisive fifth set. Despite running ahead 4-1, LU-Belleville would push themselves back into contention by knotting the score at five all. The fight for the lead became masked by either team not gaining more than a two point advantage, but as the Warriors sat at match-point, a kill from Niekamp would stamp the 3-2 victory, pushing Tech to 3-0 in tournament play.
 
In their final match of the tournament, the Warriors earned their third tournament sweep, taking out Shawnee State 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-20). Park and Stokes would each contribute 22 assists a piece, while Niekamp recorded 13 kills. MacDonald finished the match with 15 digs for the Orange and Black.
 
With things set at seven a piece, Shawnee State would eventually find a 13-12 lead midway. A 4-0 run would grant the Warriors a comfortable 23-17 lead as they would capitalize to earn a one game advantage, 25-19. Tech was able to gain the advantage very early behind a dominating attack in set number two, a lead they would hold at 3-0 and not look back on en route to their 25-17 frame two victory. Up 2-0 in the match, the Orange and Black would again jump ahead of their opponents early, finding themselves ahead 10-5. Their lead would progressively grow as they stood ahead 21-15 curtsey of back to back kills from Mack and Eggers. The Bears would compile a late comeback attempt, putting them within just two but the Warriors would hold them to just one more point, closing out the sweep en route to the tournament championship title.
 
Aylward would garner 2018 All-Tournament Team MVP honors with Niekamp earning her place on the 2018 All-Tournament Team.
 
The Orange and Black will be back in action as they hit the road to face off with WHAC (Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference) foe, University of Northwestern Ohio, this Wednesday, October 17^th. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at Racer Gymnasium.