WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The women's volleyball was the first team in action this season for Indiana Tech athletics as the Orange & Black started off their campaign at the Keiser Invite down in Florida. On Thursday, Tech would play two games against RV Columbia International and Benedictine-Mesa before facing off against two ranked opponents on Friday in #22 Valley City State and #19 St. Thomas to close out the tournament.
 
In game one of the tournament, against RV Columbia International, Tech would fall 1-3 after winning the first set 25-23 and then dropping the next three 10-25, 19-25, and 22-25. Noelle VanOort led the Warriors with 17 kills, while Sara Gomperts and Madison Mayes led Tech in assists (22) and digs (26) respectively. Game two also ended in defeat as the Warriors would fall in straight sets to the Bendictine-Mesa Blackhawks 22-25, 17-25, and 20-25. VanOort would lead the team with 11 kills and 12 digs, while Gomperts had 18 assists, but it would not be enough on the day to get the win.
 
On the second day of the tournament, the Warriors would face two tough ranked teams. The first was against #22 Valley City State which turned into a back and forth five set thriller. Tech would take the first set 25-19 before dropping set two 21-25. Set three would go in favor of the Warriors 25-22, but the Vikings would take set four 25-17 and eek out the 3-2 victory with a 15-12 set five win. Noelle VanOort would sine for the Warriors, leading the team in kills (19), digs (21), and aces (3) in the match. Sara Gomperts would record 32 assists, while Hanna Teich posted five blocks. The final game down in Florida would end in a 0-3 loss for the Warriors, falling 22-25, 13-25, and 14-25 to #19 St. Thomas. VanOort would again lead the Warriors in kills and digs with nine each, while Gomperts led Tech with 15 assists in the match.
 
The Warriors start off the year at 0-4 in a tough, competitive environment and will look to get back on track at the Onset Tournament in Fort Wayne, Indiana on August 23^rd and 24^th.