The Tiffin University volleyball team (9-9) lost two matches by the score of 3-0 on day one of the Midwest Crossover in Hammond, Ind., falling to both #19 Quincy early and Michigan Tech in the nightcap. Today's two three-set matches were the first of the season for the Dragons.
Match one vs #19 Quincy: L, 3-0 (11-25, 24-26, 24-26)
The first set was all the Hawks in this one thanks to a .533 hitting percentage. Kills by Katelyn Owens and Kenedi Goon along with a combined block by Taylor Petersen and Kaylee Freund brought the Dragons within three, 11-8. Quincy would go on to win 10 of the next 11 and 14 of the final 17 to take the first set.
TU got off to an excellent start in set two by winning the first seven points. Goon and Freund combined for three blocks and Addison Conti added in a service ace during the stretch. Overall, Tiffin won 10 of the first 14 points. The Hawks continued to fight their way back and won six of eight to cut the TU lead to 13-12. Another kill by Owens expanded the Dragons' lead back out to 20-16. Following that kill, Quincy won the next five to take the lead and wouldn't surrender the lead for the rest of the set. A kill by Freund forced the set to extend past the 25-point mark but with it tied at 24, the Hawks won the final two points.
Set three was tight early on and TU led 7-5 after a kill by Wakaya Wilson. Following the kill, the Hawks won the next five to take a 10-7 lead. Trailing 20-17, the Dragons won six straight to take a 23-20 but couldn't hold on. Olivia Karhoff served an ace to continue the momentum, but the Hawks regained the momentum to take the lead back, 24-23. A kill by Wilson tied it to force the extended set once again but Quincy was able to close it out by winning the final two points, but this time it was on back-to-back kills.
Freund led the team in kills with 11 while Conti led the team in both assists (13) and digs (11).
Match two vs. Michigan Tech: L, 3-0 (18-25, 13-25, 18-25)
The Dragons got off to a fast start by winning five of the first six points. Leading 11-8, Michigan Tech won six straight to lead 14-11 and would lead the rest of the way. Michigan Tech would later win four in a row and five of the final eight to take the set.
Set two was tight early and featured three ties. A kill by Kenedi Goon put the Dragons on top 5-4 but Michigan Tech would win the next five for a 9-5 lead. TU rallied again and got back within one following a kill by Taylor Peterson and service ace by Addison Conti. Michigan Tech was clinging to a 12-11 lead and would win nine in a row to extend the lead and overall TU lost 13 of the final 15 points in the set.
Set three featured seven ties and a kill by Maggie Pavlansky gave the Dragons a 6-5 lead. Michigan Tech would once again rally by winning four in a row but the Dragons had an answer, tying the set at 10 following a kill by Olivia Karhoff and an error from Michigan Tech. With the set tied at 10, Michigan Tech won the next point and led the rest of the way. Another kill by Goon brought the Dragons within two, 15-13, but TU couldn't get closer as Michigan Tech extended their lead again and would go on to win six of the final nine points in the set.
Goon led the way with seven kills while Conti recorded a team high 13 assists and Diana Heitkamp added 11 digs.
TU hit just .169 compared to Michigan Tech's .382.
The Dragons will play one more game at the Crossover in Hammond, Ind. tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. against UIndy.
