MADISON, WIS. – Women's Volleyball hosted a NACC showdown at the Todd Wehr Edgedome Saturday. They faced off with the Aurora Spartans with the opportunity to earn their third-straight NACC regular season crowd. The Spartans (18-8, 9-2 NACC) had a 2-1 match lead and multiple match points, but the Eagles (21-6, 12-0) dug deep for a 3-2 (25-18, 21-25, 17-25, 29-27, 15-6) victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The squads duked it out early, but a 7-0 run from Edgewood University had the hosts flying high 13-6 early. A 7-3 response from Aurora would cut the edge to three, but the Eagles finished the set on a 9-5 stretch to hold a 1-0 advantage.
- The Spartans bounced back with a 6-0 start to the second frame. While a late 7-2 run from Edgewood University would cut the lead to 22-19, Aurora held the hosts at arm's length to even the match.
- The two teams were locked in a hard-fought start to the third set, but the Spartans took over on a 12-2 rally that put the Eagles well behind as the visitors claimed the third set.
- Facing a do or die fourth set, Edgewood University flew high off of a 10-3 burst to claim a 16-8 tally. Aurora stormed back into the frame with a 12-2 explosion as they seemed poised to claim the road victory. The Eagles had their backs at the wall down 24-23 and 27-26 in the frame, but each time staved off defeat. A pair of kills from
Katie Borchert and an ace from
Kate Gunderson finished off the set and kept Edgewood University alive in the match.
- The Eagles left no room for doubt in the fifth. They outhit Aurora .438 to -.048 in the fifth set, recorded seven kills and no errors, and slammed the door shut on an impressive comeback to claim the NACC regular season title on their home court.
- Edgewood University rode their service game and blocks to victory, tallying a 14-to-4 edge in aces and a 20-to-7 gap in blocks.
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Payton Millin paced the squad with four aces and eight blocks.
Molly Amendt contributed seven of her own, while
Natalie Murphy and
Marina Hosticka each tallied five blocks.
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Mia Hinkamper led the back line with 23 digs, while
Jennacy Wille had 12 of her own.
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Abbey Eivins tallied 24 assists and
Nida Zukauskaite 10 kills.
- Gunderson earned a double-double featuring several key digs down the stretch. She earned 21 assists and 14 digs.
- Borchert starred, taking over the match at multiple points. She recorded 20 kills, 15 digs, seven blocks, and three aces in a standout performance.
- Trinity Nelson fueled a high-octane Aurora offense that featured four players with double-digit kills with 51 assists. She earned a double-double with 23 digs.
- Izabella Kowalczyk had a team-high 19 kill.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The 20 blocks as a team matched the single-game program record for Edgewood University, last reached against UW-Platteville (September 29, 1999).
- The Eagles pace the NACC with 2.48 blocks per set. Their 20 blocks is the single-match season high in the conference.
- Amendt's seven blocks were her personal best.
- Borchert surpassed 1,000 career kills in the victory. Her 320 kills, 232 digs, and 21 aces are all season highs for the senior.
- The Eagles have now won five-straight against Aurora.
UP NEXT
Edgewood University looks to end the regular season on a high note Thursday. They'll take on the Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors in Milwaukee, Wis. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
