MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Junior setter
Kathryn Wood posted a pair of double-doubles but it was not enough as the La Salle University volleyball team lost two decisions on the first day of the Chippewa Invitational Friday. The Explorers dropped a four-setter to host Central Michigan (25-22, 19-25, 25-23, 25-16) before falling to Valparaiso, 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 26-24).
Central Michigan 3, La Salle 1
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Explorers jumped out to an early 5-2 lead in game one, after back-to-back kills from junior Catherine Edgington.
- CMU tied it up at 6-6 and the game remained tied at 15-15 before the Chippewas reeled off four straight points.
- La Salle pulled within two on a pair of occasions but the home team prevailed.
- In the second, the Explorers trailed 8-7 before stringing together eight straight points to take control.
- Junior Devin Corah concluded the run with the three straight kills, as La Salle evened up the match at 1-1 with a 25-19, game-two win.
- In the third, La Salle held a similar 8-7 edge prior to Central Michigan going on a 6-1 spurt to take a 13-9 advantage.
- A pair of errors allowed the Explorers to cut the deficit to one, and the pivotal game would go down to the wire from there.
- A kill by freshman Elizabeth Osborn staved off one game point at 24-22, but the Chippewas clinched the game on a kill from Kalina Smith.
- Riding high from the close win in the third game, CMU scored 10 of the first 13 points on its way to victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Junior setter Kathryn Wood posted 41 assists and 12 digs, moving her into fourth place on the La Salle career assists list.
- Corah closed with a team-high 13 kills while Edgington and sophomore Samantha Graver each added 12.
- Graver had her third double-double of the years, adding 11 digs.
- Senior Jensen Sharrits had a team-high 18 digs.
Valparaiso 3, La Salle 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Explorers got off to a hot start again, scoring the contest's first three points in the opening game and taking a 9-4 lead after consecutive kills by senior Madison Kuch, who hails from nearby Midland, Mich.
- After a timeout, the Crusaders found a groove and flipped the script, going on a 10-2 run en route to a 14-11 lead.
- La Salle pulled back even at 17-17, and the two teams traded points before Valpo scored three straight and eventually took the first, 25-22.
- After a tough second game, the Explorers fought valiantly in the third before succumbing, 26-24.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Corah had a match-high 15 kills on .391 hitting but the rest of the Explorers struggled, hitting just .074.
- Wood again had a double-double with 38 assists and 15 digs, marking the fourth straight match she has accomplished the feat.
- Valparaiso had a balanced attack that was led by Sydney Bronner's 11 kills.
UP NEXT
- La Salle concludes its trip to the Midwest on Saturday, Sept. 1 with a match against DePaul at 1:00 p.m. ET.