Clean Sweep of Warriors leads SVSU to the GLIAC Semifinals

Clean Sweep of Warriors leads SVSU to the GLIAC Semifinals

UNIVERSITY CENTER  — The SVSU Volleyball team hosted Wayne State University in Hamilton Gymnasium Wednesday (Nov. 7) night in one of the GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinal matches. The Cardinals went on to sweep the Warriors to head to the GLIAC semifinals on Friday (Nov. 9) against hosts and No. 1 seed, Ferris State University. 

The Match: 

Set one was led by the WSU for the first few points, but SVSU was able to come back right on top 10-9 and would continue to lead until the final score 25-19 fell in the Cardinals favor. Set one was dominated by outside hitter Sarah Tabit who earned four kills for the Cardinals and a block. 

Emily Friesl and S. Tabit dominated the net in the second set, leading the Cardinals to a quick 6-1 lead heading into the Warriors timeout. The Cardinals continued to lead the remainder of the match, hitting a .348 while holding WSU to a -.031. 

Heading into the lockerroom, Saginaw Valley was looking for their eighth clean sweep of the year and a trip to the GLIAC semifinal victory. 

The Cardinals started out hot in the third set, going up 4-nil with Maria Vukaj on the backline. Although, with a stellar Warrior bench, SVSU began to struggle and eventually fell behind 13-9 at the home teams timeout. 

SVSU was not ready to give the Warriors even a single set, as the Cardinals battled back to take back the lead 18-17 with S. Tabit and Kristen Huebner at the helm of the attacks. A close nit battle between the two teams eventually fell in Saginaw Valley's favor, as the Cards took the 26-24 victory, and the match 3-0, with a huge stuff block from Friesl and Hannah Tabit

Inside the Box Score: 

  • Vukaj earned player of the match accolades after hitting .450 from the outside (her career-best hitting percentage), with 10 kills and only a single error. She added three blocks, nine digs and an ace as well. 
  • S. Tabit rallied 14 kills in tonights contest, hitting .312
  • Huebner was another great asset from the rightside, hitting a .333 with four kills. 
  • Rachel Eisenhour added three kills, hitting .600. 
  • Abbie Toland led the backline with 17 digs. 
  • The team hit .330 on the night, a season-high. 

From head coach Will Stanton:

Up Next... 

The Cardinals will head over to the west side of the state to take on the No. 1 Ferris State Bulldogs on Friday at a time yet to be determined. Live stats will be available for the contest. 

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