MADISON, WIS. – Top-seeded Women's Volleyball hosted their third-straight NACC Tournament Championship at the Todd Wehr Edgedome Saturday. They took on the Aurora Spartans with a conference title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line. After a competitive start, the Eagles (25-6) rode the momentum from an explosive 12-2 run to finish the second set to a 3-0 (25-23, 25-15, 25-18) victory over the Spartans (22-9).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After trading body blows early, Aurora claimed a 6-2 rally to earn a 14-12 edge. The Eagles replied with three unanswered for a one-point lead, but the Spartans struck back with a 5-1 burst as they clicked on offense and defense. Edgewood University found another gear with an 8-2 barrage to all but put the first set to bed.
- The two squads wrestled for the lead in the second set, but the Eagles landed a crushing blow. Tied 13-13, Edgewood University had the Edgedome rocking on a 12-2 rally, earning a 2-0 lead in the match and having momentum heading into the third set.
- An 8-3 run kept the good times rolling for the Eagles as they paced the third frame 11-5. The Spartans had no answers to a relentless Edgewood University effort clicking on all cylinders. The Eagles lead never shrunk below four as they clinched their third-straight NACC Tournament Championship with an authoritative sweep.
- Edgewood University outhit Aurora .180-to-.048. They had advantages in most major statistical categories, including a 44-to-31 gap in kills and a 12-to-8 lead in blocks.
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Katie Borchert swung for 15 kills on 46 attacks for a .239 hitting percentage. She also earned four blocks and seven digs.
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Natalie Murphy and
Molly Amendt were efficient on offense with nine kills apiece. Murphy earned a .333 hitting percentage on 21 swings, while Amendt swung .263 on 19 attempts.
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Abbey Eivins and
Kate Gunderson kept a ferocious Eagles offense clicking with 19 and 18 assists respectively.
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Marina Hosticka was a smothering presence at the net with seven blocks.
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Mia Hinkamper shined at libero once more, playing a key role in the championship match with 20 digs.
- Katelyn Ruse earned an 11-kill, 10-dig double-double for Aurora.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Edgewood University won its third-straight NACC Tournament Championship and punched its third-straight ticket to the NCAA Tournament with the victory.
- The Eagles have won 26-straight matches against NACC foes and 16 matches in a row overall.
- Borchert was named Tournament MVP, while Hinkamper and
Payton Millin were named to the All-Tournament team alongside Borchert.
UP NEXT
Edgewood University will look to keep their momentum rolling into the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Tournament. The Selection Show will take place on Monday at noon as the Eagles await their first round foe.
