WINONA LAKE, Ind. – After notching a pair of 3-0 sweeps against Governors State University (25-20, 25-7, 25-19) and Grace College (25-15, 26-24, 25-19) on Saturday, the Indiana Tech women's volleyball team paired that with Friday's 2-0 performance to capture the 2019 Lancer Classic title at Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.
In the day's opening contest against Governors State,
Madeline MacDonald led all players with 21 digs, while
Madison Park recorded 17 assists.
Olivia Niekamp and
Jordan Aylward led the offensive attack with 11 and 10 kills respectively.
The opening frame looked to be a tightly contented match, locked at 7-7 early, before the Warriors would be fueled by an offensive burst good for a 5-0 run. The Jaguars attempted to keep it close, but Tech pushed ahead to take lead 17-11 at the midway point. The lead eventually got cut to just two, but a pair of kills from Aylward helped to prove the 1-0 advantage and 25-20 set score.
Errors plagued the Jaguars as the Warriors utilized a streak of mistakes to go ahead 14-4 in the second set. Their opponents would score just three more points in the set as a 9-0 run helped to close out the set 25-7.
In the decisive third set, the Orange and Black continued to assert their dominance. After trailing 5-4 early, the Warriors went on a 10-0 run to ultimately jump ahead 14-5. Despite a comeback attempt by their opponents, an Aylward kill put an end to the contest with Governors State behind a 25-19 third set score.
Facing the tournament hosts in the championship contest, Niekamp led all players with 15 kills, while Aylward recorded 10. Park registered 20 assists and MacDonald rounded out top performers with 18 digs.
An 8-8 score transitioned into a 15-9 Warriors advantage behind consistent offensive play. A 5-2 run rounded out the opening set en route to a 25-15 score.
After Tech worked to build up an advantage early, it was their opponent would go on a run to even up the playing field at 7-7 before eventually taking a one-point advantage. The two squads swapped their share of the lead until a 4-0 run pushed Tech ahead 13-9. The Orange and Black were able to hold onto just enough of the lead to keep their opponents at bay and win the thrilling set 26-24.
Now with a possible championship set at hand, yet another back-and-forth battle ensued between the two teams. The Warriors were able to secure a slim 14-13 advantage around midway, but it was a 4-0 run later that would eventually put them within five of the title. A kill from Niekamp would seal the deal for a 25-19 decision and the Orange and black's second sweep of the day and first Lancer Classic title.
The Orange and Black (4-0) will be back in action as they participate in the Big Easy Blastoff tournament in New Orleans, Friday August 30. Opening slate includes a 4 p.m. match-up with Florida Memorial University and a 7 p.m. contest with Xavier University of Louisiana from the Convocation Center.
