Volleyball Weekend Review: Cleveland State Captures Second Straight Tournament Title

Cleveand State and Valparaiso continued their winning ways in the third weekend of volleyball play as the Vikings won their second consecutive tournament and the Crusaders despite dropping their first match of the season, still won two of three matches at the Evansville Tournament.

Wright State also had a strong weekend, winning two of their three matches this weekend at their own Invitational.

Cleveland State at Cincinnati Tournament
Results:
Cleveland State def. Cincinnati, 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-23)
Cleveland State def. Navy, 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-14)
Cleveland State def. Northern Kentucky, 3-0 (26-24, 27-25, 25-22)

The Vikings dropped only one set at the Cincinnati Tournament to capture the invitational title. Representing Cleveland State on the All-Tournament Team were Grace Kauth, Nikki Holmes and Maggie Hannon, with Kauth earning Tournament MVP honors. For the weekend, Kauth tallied a team-high 39 kills on a .289 hitting percentage and averaged 2.60 digs per set. Holmes had a team-best 55 digs on the weekend, while Hannon posted 37 kills and 12 blocks. The Vikings have now won four straight, and seven of their last eight to stand at 8-2 on the year.

Green Bay at Northern Iowa
Results:
Northern Iowa def. Green Bay, 3-1 (25-19, 25-16, 19-25, 25-19)
Northern Iowa def. Green Bay, 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-19)

The Phoenix did not play in a tournament this weekend, instead traveling to Iowa to play two matches at Northern Iowa. Defending Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week Leah Van Zeeland had a double-double in the first match, finishing with a team-high 11 kills and 12 digs. Monica Anderson had a team-best eight kills in the second match, while Jillian Bauer, who had 26 digs in the first match, finished with 25 digs.

Milwaukee at InnTowner Invitational
Results:
Kansas def. Milwaukee, 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-10)
Milwaukee def. Bowling Green, 3-0 (25-16, 26-24, 25-21)
#25 Wisconsin def. Milwaukee, 3-1 (25-20, 27-29, 25-15, 25-17)

The Panthers took the win in one match this weekend as UWM participated in a tournament that featured a team currently ranked in the top-25 and two other teams that were in the NCAA Tournament last season. In Milwaukee’s win over Bowling Green on Saturday, Julie Kolinske, Rachel Neuberger and Myanna Ruiz all contributed 13 kills, while Taylor Golabowski led the defensive effort with 24 digs.

Oakland at Notre Dame Tournament
Results:
Auburn def. Oakland, 3-0 (25-8, 27-25, 25-17)
Notre Dame def. Oakland, 3-1 (21-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20)
Oakland def. Loyola, 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-21, 25-15)

The Golden Grizzlies won one of three matches at the Notre Dame Tournament this weekend with their victory coming over Loyola, 3-1, in the final match of the tournament on Saturday. Three OU players recorded double-digit kills in the victory over the Ramblers. Jessica Dood was named to the All-Tournament team after a stellar offensive effort in the tournament. She finished with 29 kills and a hitting percentage of .429.

UIC at Hawkeye Challenge
Results:
Western Illinois def. UIC, 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-14)
UIC def. Drake, 3-1 (14-25, 25-18, 25-12, 26-24)
Ball State def. UIC, 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-14)
Iowa def. UIC, 3-1 (25-12, 25-20, 22-25, 28-26)

The Flames won one match at the Hawkeye Challenge in Iowa City, Iowa this weekend. After dropping the first set to Drake, UIC rebounded to win the next three to knock off the Bulldogs, 3-1. Sara Sternard was named to the All-Tournament team after finishing the four matches with 27 kills and eight blocks.

Valparaiso at Evansville Tournament
Results:
Memphis def. Valparaiso, 3-0 (25-21, 30-28, 25-18)
Valparaiso def. SIU-Edwardsville, 3-1 (25-16, 25-14, 24-26, 25-20
Valparaiso def. Evansville, 3-1 (25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 25-18)

The Crusaders dropped their first match of the season Friday, but rebounded to win two matches on Saturday to improve their record to 10-1 on the season. Freshman Emily Campbell led Valpo with 20 kills, while Kelsey Berrington had 30 assists and Sarah Dooms had 24 digs in Valpo’s 3-1 win over SIUE. In the win over Evansville, Dooms led the team with 15 kills and Morganne Longoria had a match-high 28 digs.

Wright State hosted Wright State Invitational
Results:
Wright State def. Robert Morris, 3-1 (25-23, 25-21, 20-25, 28-26)
Murray State def. Wright State, 3-1 (25-16, 25-22, 23-25, 27-25)
Wright State def. Indiana State, 3-1 (25-21, 27-29, 25-23, 26-24)

The Raiders won two of three matches at their own Invitational this weekend. WSU opened the tournament with a 3-1 win over Robert Morris. Four Raiders finished the match with double-digit kills, led by Heidi Splinter with 19. Ellen Senf led WSU with 13 kills in the Raiders win over Indiana State on Saturday. Miranda Puthoff was named to the All-Tournament Team as she recorded 65 digs in four matches along with nine assists.

Youngstown State at Billiken Classic
Results:
Bradley def. Youngstown State, 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-20)
Youngstown State def. Saint Louis, 3-1 (23-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-21)
Miami (Ohio) def. Youngstown State, 3-2 (25-16, 27-25, 19-25, 16-25, 15-9)

The Penguins started the week with a three-set loss to 27th-ranked Arizona State en route to Saint Louis for the Billiken Classic. In Saint Louis, YSU won one of three matches. The Penguins defeated host Saint Louis, 3-1, on Saturday for their lone win of the weekend. Missy Hundelt had 14 kills, 13 digs and six blocks against Saint Louis while Shannon Watson registered 10 kills and eight blocks in the win.