ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- The Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team fell by a score of 3-0 to the top-seeded Lewis Flyers in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Quarterfinal match. The Cardinals finish the season 20-9 overall with the program's first appearance in the postseason since the 2016 season and the sixth in the history of the program.
The Cardinals were a bit slow to start the first set and would find themselves in a seven point deficit with a count of 13-8 in favor of the Flyers. SVSU was unable to get their offense going and would fall, 25-13, in set one.
In the second set, the Cardinals came out strong to take an early lead of 8-4. Senior setter, Hannah Tabit, spread the Cardinal offense to three different attackers leading the Cardinals to this lead. The Flyer's offensive attack was too much for SVSU to defend as Lewis knotted the set, 13-13. Lewis kept up the offensive pressure and took the lead, 20-14, over SVSU and would close the second set to take a 2-0 advantage heading into the third set.
The Flyers jumped out to an early, 10-4, lead over the Cardinals. This six-point deficit remained for the rest of the third and final set as SVSU fell, 25-17, to the Lewis Flyers.
Inside the Box Score
- Maria Vukaj and Rylee Zimmer led SVSU in kills with six each.
- Hannah Tabit had 20 assists, seven digs and two kills which earned her 'Player of the Match' honors in her final match as a Cardinal.
- Emily Friesl had the highest hitting percentage with .308 on five kills and had two digs and a service ace.
From Head Coach Will Stanton...
"Lewis was very solid serving, and we struggled to get our offense working consistently. We worked hard, but couldn't get our attackers in rhythm, and that makes everything harder. Our serving did get us some momentum later in the match and we had some opportunities, but not enough to turn the tide."
Up Next...
This contest concludes the Cardinal Volleyball 2019 post season run. Stay tuned for updates as they arrive on svsucardinals.com.
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