DEARBORN, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University volleyball team split a pair of matches on the second day of the Earlybird Tournament hosted by the University of Michigan-Dearborn. The Cougars fell in three sets to No. 4 Madonna University before bouncing back to earn a 3-2 win over the host Wolverines.
In Saturday's opener against Madonna, sophomores Rebekah Kujat and Alexis Long and freshman Leah Rose registered four kills apiece while freshman Courtney Kyser had three. Freshman setter Gabrielle Hilliard handed out nine assists and fellow rookie Olivia Landis recorded a pair of aces.
Senior Lyndsay Murray and sophomore Taylor Johnston led the defensive effort with seven and five digs, respectively. Kyser also added three blocks.
The Cougars had a well balanced attack against Michigan-Dearborn with nine different players recording kills. Kujat and Landis paced the attack 14 and 10 kills while junior Emily Verhage and Kyser added five apiece. Hilliard and Hardy orchestrated the offense, combining for 37 assists. Kujat also had a big day from the serving line, finishing the match with a career-high five aces.
On the defensive end, Rose collected 19 digs followed by Murray with 16. Long was a force at the net coming away with five blocks while Kujat and Kyser had four each.
Murray was also named to the All-Tournament Team. In four matches, she racked up 59 digs to go along with three kills and two aces.
The Cougars return to action next weekend, Aug. 29-30, at the Saint Xavier University/Trinity Christian College Crossover in Chicago, Ill.
- Cougar Nation -
