DETROIT, Mich - The Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team came back to defeat the Wayne State Warriors, 3-2, in GLIAC play. The Cardinals improve to to 10-4 overall and 4-2 in GLIAC play.
The Cardinals took the lead early in the first set leading the Warriors, 6-3. WSU fought back to gain the lead by as many as six, a deficit the Cardinals would not overcome, dropping the set 25-21.
Saginaw Valley would lead set two by six points midway through the set. Wayne State came back to within three but the Cardinals would close set two with a final score of 26-24.
The Cardinals controlled play in the third set coming back from an early deficit to lead by five, 10-5. The Warriors continued to attack and would knot the match, 14-14, but SVSU persisted as they would take the lead only allowing WSU to score twice to SVSU's four. The Cardinals would end the match by a count of 25-19.
The fourth set was the make or break point for the Cardinals as the Warriors led the match, 2-1. The set went point-for-point to a score of 18-18 and the Cardinals fell into a deficit going down, 22-19. SVSU made a come back and would win the set, 26-24, tying the match 2-2.
The Warriors opened the set scoring three in a row to put the Cardinals down 4-1. SVSU would reclaim the lead to the 13th point where Wayne State scored the tying point. The lead would ultimately fall to the Cardinals who would take the final set 17-15.
Inside the Box Score
- Haley Clum was stellar on the defensive end, posting 10 blocks in the match which would earn her 'Player of the Match' honors. Those 10 blocks were a career-best for Clum as well in the victory.
- Sarah Tabit led the team in kills with 27 and added eight digs and one block. The 27 kills mark a new career-high for Tabit.
- Maria Vukaj and Olivia Dean both added 14 kills in the match, with Vukaj chipping-in with 16 digs and six blocks.
- Hannah Tabit recorded an outstanding 61 assists and four blocks, adding 14 digs.
- Abbie Toland led the team in digs with 22 and added three assists.
From Head Coach Will Stanton
"Wayne State blocked very well and attacked much better than we were ready for. Our defense and blocking took a while to catch up. Our serve receive was a little streaky and that caused some issues with our offense. But we fought hard and found ways to win rallys. We maintained some very good composure when the match was tight and that made the difference."
Up Next...
The Cardinals continue road play Saturday (Oct. 5) as they take on Ashland University at 2:30 p.m. You can follow the action live at svsucardinals.com.