MADISON, Wis. - The Edgewood College women's volleyball team extended their winning streak to three matches, equaling their longest of the season with a 3-1 victory over Carroll University at the Edgedome. The Eagles dropped the opening set before rallying back for a 21-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-18 victory over the Pioneers.
The opening set featured nine tie scores and five lead changes. Edgewood College (11-10) looked to be in control, leading 21-18 after a kill from Renee Meister, but the Pioneers scored the final seven points of the set to win. Elizabeth Evans had four kills in the opening set, while Savannah Koester unleashed three service aces.
Edgewood College found their groove in the second set. The Eagles pulled out to a 19-13 lead when Jenna Dammen and Renee Meister teamed up for one of Edgewood College's 13 blocks on the night. Meister scored back-to-back kills and Erika Van Engen delivered an ace to reach set point. Two points later, Evans evened the match at one apiece with her 10th kill of the match to that point.
The Eagles had a 16-10 lead in the third set, when Carroll's Rachel Harn dialed up consecutive aces to cut into the Edgewood College lead. Carroll University (6-14) would close the gap all the way to 20-18, but the Eagles would let them get no closer. Kills from Evans and Meister kept the Eagles in front until Emily Chaussee scored a set winner off the Pioneer block and out of bounds.
The Eagles took control of the fourth set behind the serve of Koester. Leading 8-7, a kill by Van Engen set up Koester and the Eagles for a 6-0 run to take a 14-7 lead. Dammen had a solo block, an assisted block and a kill during the streak. Edgewood College ran their lead all the way up to 19-11 on two aces from Grace Zimmer. Dammen ultimately ended the match with her fourth kill of the night.
Evans posted a double-double with a team-high 13 kills and 15 digs. She hit a match-high .314 with just two errors on the night. Meister contributed nine kills and six blocks, including three solo efforts. Koester and Chaussee had seven kills each with Koester adding five aces and Chaussee collecting 17 digs. Dammen led the team with seven total blocks, while Zimmer posted a new season-high with 21 digs. Haley Schwenn had 20 assists and Alex Zapuchlak 16 to set the offense.
Carroll University received a match-high 14 kills from Dana Voltolina, and 17 digs by Cassidy Mrotek. The Pioneers hit .250 over the first two sets, but just -.011 in the final two sets, thanks in large part to 11 Eagle blocks in the third and fourth sets.
Edgewood College will be home again tomorrow afternoon, looking to extend their winning streak to a season-high four matches. The Eagles host Wisconsin Lutheran College in NACC match which begins at 12:00 noon.
