BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team wrapped up play in Big Rapids at the 2015 Ferris State Invitational by winning both matches on Saturday. The Cardinals beat Wisconsin-Parkside by a score of 3-1 and then went on to win their match against Mercyhurst 3-2.
Match #1 - Wisconsin-Parkside
Saginaw Valley won the first set decisively with a score of 25-15 but fell in the second 25-20. The Cardinals bounced back to win the next two sets 25-23 and 25-18, winning the match 3-1.
Junior outside hitter Andrea Brigham posted a career-high 19 kills on 39 total attacks, adding 12 digs and a pair of service aces. The performance earned her Chili's "Player of the Match" honors.
Junior Kaylee Schmitt added 10 kills and a team-high five blocks. Sophomore Sidney Scott contributed seven kills and sophomore Emily Nieman tallied four service aces and 10 digs. Brooke Tiller had a match-high 18 digs while sophomore Tamara Heller added 10. Kelly Vellucci had 44 assists and added seven digs defensively.
"We responded well to their offensive pressure, but it took us a little longer to react to their serving pressure," said Head Coach Will Stanton. "Our defense worked very hard and we were able to keep ourselves in some tough rallies and have a chance to win game three. That made the difference for us."
Match #2 - Mercyhurst
The Cardinals lost the first set 25-20, but came back to win the next two 25-16 and 25-20. The Lakers evened the match with a 25-19 victory in the fourth set. SVSU came back strong in the last set, however, sealing the contest with a 15-5 victory.
Junior Vellucci was named the Chili's "Player of the Match," as she posted 41 assists, 20 digs, four kills and three service aces for the Cards.
Tiller racked-up 26 digs, another match high. Kaylee Schmitt tallied a match-high 18 kills, notching a hitting percentage of .415. Senior middle hitter Morgan Eddy chipped-in with 11 kills and five blocks.
Schmitt, Vellucci and Brigham were all selected to the All-Tournament Team for their performances.
Saginaw Valley's record now stands at an undefeated 4-0. The Cardinals will travel to the California University of Pennsylvania to play in the Vulcan Invitational next Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the Cardinals will be playing Bridgeport at 12:00 p.m. and Clarion at 3:00 p.m. On Saturday, SV will play the hosts California (Pa.) at 10:00 a.m. and then wrap-up the invitational against Truman at 1:00 p.m.