BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team posted a sweep on the first day of the 2015 season at the Ferris State Invitational in Big Rapids, Michigan. The Cardinals won the first match agaisnt Missouri Western with a score of 3-2 and went on to defeat California (Pa.) by a 3-1 count.
Match #1 - Missouri Western
The teams alternated victories in the first four sets. Western took the first by a 25-18 mark before SVSU responded with a 25-16 win in the second. After the Griffons claimed the third frame by a score of 25-22, the Cardinals answered in a big way once more, taking set number four by a 26-24 count. Saginaw Valley then closed the match out with a 15-10 decision in the fifth and final set.
Senior middle hitter Morgan Eddy was named the Chili's "Player of the Match" after posting 16 kills on 35 attacks, hitting .371 while adding five blocks defensively. Junior Kaylee Schmitt hit at a .344 clip with 11 kills and a team-high six blocks. Andrea Brigham posted a match-high 17 kills.
Senior Brooke Tiller led the way with a match-best 23 digs while Tamara Heller (16) and Kelly Vellucci (13) reached double digits in digs as well. Vellucci had 50 assists in the match.
"We started a little slow in the match and it took us a little longer to catch up with their offense than we expected," said SVSU head coach Will Stanton. "They served tough and had some tough offense, so we had to make some passing adjustments. Overall, it was a typical early season match with both team finding their rhythm and figuring things out. We were glad we were able to out some pieces and find a way to win."
Match #2 - California (Pa.)
Saginaw Valley fell in the first match to California (Pa.), losing 17-25, but came back to win the next three, all with a score of 25-22 to claim the 3-1 victory.
Schmitt led the way against the Vulcans offensively, tallying a career-high 18 kills while hitting .378. She earned Chili's "Player of the Match" honors for her performance. Vellucci had 37 helpers and a match-high 19 digs. Tiller added 16 digs while Tamara Heller and Emily Nieman each added 13 digs. Heller added 10 kilsl and Brigham had 12 digs and 10 kills. Eddy had a match-best six blocks as well.
"We had a slow start to the match and Cal (Pa.) out-worked us in the first two sets," stated Stanton. "Once we got our energy up and our serve receive steadied-out, however, our offense made a difference. Kaylee Schmitt had a great day offensively and really made a difference towards the end of both matches today."
SVSU continues play on Saturday morning at 9:30 am with a match against Wisconsin-Parkside before finsihing the invitational against Mercyhurst at 2:30 pm.