AURORA, Ill. – Women's Volleyball hit the road for NACC action Saturday. They took on the Aurora Spartans, receiving votes in the latest AVCA Division III poll, in a rematch of last year's NACC Tournament Final. The Spartans (25-2, 10-0 NACC) impressed in a 3-1 (25-26, 23-25, 25-16, 25-15) win over the Eagles (18-8, 8-2).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Aurora hit .565 with 13 kills and no errors in the opening set as they came out of the gates white hot, including a 7-0 start.
- Edgewood University found their footing in the second set with a 5-0 opener. A 6-0 rally put momentum back in the Spartans' court as they led 14-12. While the Eagles would keep pace and slow down Aurora, a 4-0 run later pushed the Spartans up 20-17. Edgewood University finished strong on offense and defense with an 8-3 rally to even the match.
- The Eagles came out swinging to a 4-0 lead in the third frame, but a 7-2 response had the wind at Aurora's back 7-6. An 8-1 follow-up sent the Spartans rolling ahead 15-8. The hosts would push their edge to 22-12 with a 6-1 rally to put themselves in a commanding position.
- A 12-2 run in in the fourth frame put Aurora ahead 16-6 and all but put Edgewood University out of the match. The Spartans shut down the Eagles' offense, holding them to a .000 hitting percentage on route to an impressive win.
- Aurora outhit Edgewood University .260-to-.058. They also held a 11-to-3 gap in aces.
- Rosie Karl swung for 16 kills and only two errors for a .560 hitting percentage.Izabella Kowalczyk posted 10 kills and four aces.
- Trinity Nelson fueled the strong Spartans offense with 48 assists.
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Scarlett Simkowski shined at the net with nine blocks.
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Shannon Rusch earned 15 digs.
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Abbey Eivins contributed a 17-assist, 10-dig double-double.
Laila Rasmussen tacked on 10 assists.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Simkowski's nine blocks were a personal best and tied for sixth on the single-match record books, last by Abbey Falk (November 11, 2024, against MSOE).
UP NEXT
The Eagles will return to the Todd Wehr Edgedome for the final two games of the regular. Season. They will host Wisconsin Lutheran for Senior Night on Thursday. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
