FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Indiana Tech women's volleyball team kicked off the annual Liz Lykowski Memorial Tournament on Friday afternoon, facing Indiana University Northwest in their first match of the day before going up against Olivet Nazarene in the "Liz Game" on Friday evening. On day two, Tech matched up with Indiana University Southeast in game one before rounding out the tournament by facing the RedStorm of Rio Grande.
 
The Orange and Black started the tournament on a high note, defeating the RedHawks in three straight sets. Tech hit their stride in the third set, putting on a dominant performance to win 25-11. Noelle VanOort and Amelia Schultz earned the honor of top attacker with nine kills apiece, while VanOort also led the side with four aces. Sara Gomperts posted team-highs in both assists and digs, with 24 and 12, respectively.  Jacqueline Allaway was superior above the net, posting a game-high six blocks to help the Warriors.
 
Tech got off to a slow start in their second tournament game as Olivet took the opening set 25-16. However, after the first set loss, the Warriors came to life, winning the next three, 25-22, 25-22, and 25-20 to take the match. Hanna Teich led the Warriors' offense with sixteen kills. Noelle VanOort, Jacqueline Allaway, and Sara Gomperts reprised their roles as the team's leader in service aces, blocks, and assists with two, seven, and fifty, respectively. Madison Mayes led the side with fourteen digs.
 
The Warriors took care of business against the Grenadiers in their first game on Saturday, winning 3-1.  Tech took the first two sets 25-20 and 25-22 before IUS tripped them up in the third. Tech returned firing in the fourth set to claim the match 25-12. Schultz led the offense with fifteen kills, while Teich, Mayes, and Gomperts added two aces each. VanOort, Teich, and Allaway shared honors for most blocks, with two apiece. Again, Gomperts led the team with 39 assists and Mayes had a high 21 digs.
 
Tech's final game was for all the marbles, as they faced off against Rio Grande, the only other team who hadn't lost in the tournament. Set one was tight, but a few short runs saw Tech take the opener 25-20. The Warriors continued marching in the second set, winning in a similar fashion, 25-19. Tech came out hot in the third set, stealing an early 15-2 lead before settling for a 25-11 win to claim the match and the Liz Lykowski Tournament title. VanOort continued to lead the offense with fourteen kills and had a high of eight digs. Gomperts led the team in aces and assists with 5 and 31, respectively. Schultz had a team-high three blocks.
 
Tech's Amelia Schultz and Noelle VanOort played their way onto the all-tournament team, while VanOort garnered MVP honors. Also earning a spot on the all-tournament team was Elle McLoughlin from Rio Grande, Ella Brooks from IU Southeast, Analiese Fredin from Olivet Nazarene, IU Northwest's Erica Packwood, and Lourdes' Maddie White.
 
Tech remains unbeaten in the Liz Lykowski Tournament dating back to 2018 and moves to 7-6 on the season. The Warriors resume conference play in their next match as they host Cornerstone University on Friday, September 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the Schaefer Center.