AURORA, Ill. -- The Seventh Annual GLIAC/GLVC Crossover got underway on Friday and the Wayne State University volleyball program (6-11, 3-8 GLIAC) split its two matches at the Great Lakes Center. Saint Joseph's (6-13, 2-9 GLVC) took a five-setter to open the tournament before WSU responded with a convincing 3-0 sweep against William Jewell (3-16, 1-10 GLVC).
WSU's victory was just one of three GLIAC triumphs on the day as the GLVC continued its dominance in the event and lead 21-3 going to Saturday's matches. The GLVC has won four straight Crossovers.
Match One vs. Saint Joseph's (22-25, 28-26, 25-17, 21-25, 13-15)The Warriors opened the first set leading 9-6 after a Puma attack error. SJC tied the set at 9-9 before WSU went on a 4-1 run, capped by a kill from
Kelsey Bonewits (Griffith, Ind.) put the Warriors on top 13-10. Another a SJC attack error kept WSU on top 16-13 but a 5-1 run gave the Pumas an 18-17 advantage. Following a timeout by
Tim Koth's squad, WSU responded to take a 20-18 lead after back-to-back kills from
Emily Norscia (Livonia, Mich. / Livonia Churchill) and an ace from
Grace Frazee (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Grand Rapids Christian). SJC ended the set on a 7-2 run to collect the 25-22 set-one victory.
The Pumas led 13-7 to begin the second set before WSU was able tie the game at 14-14. The back-and-forth contest was tied at 20-20 and 24-24 as the team traded points down the stretch. WSU collected back-to-back points to take a 26-25 lead before closing out the set with a 28-26 victory to even the match 1-1.
WSU's momentum continued into the third set, leading 11-7 after a Bonewits kill. The lead ballooned to 15-9 and eventually 21-13 after a kill from Heather Wiess (Fort Gratiot, Mich. / Port Huron). SJC trimmed the deficit to 22-17 but WSU took a 2-1 match lead with the 25-17 victory.
Madison Reeves (Indianapolis, Ind. / Avon) won the set with a service ace for the 25th point.
A Puma service error put SJC ahead 11-7 to start the fourth set as the GLVC member controlled the set from start to finish. SJC led 21-13 before WSU began its comeback attempt. Norscia connected on one of her career-high 23 kills, which is also a high by a Warrior this season, to pull WSU within three at 23-20 before SJC forced a fifth set with the 25-21 set-four victory.
WSU led 4-0 to begin the decisive fifth set and eventually led 10-6 before SJC bowed its neck and would come back to tie the set at 10-10. WSU trailed 13-12 and 14-12 before answering with a kill from Bonewits to cut lead to one at 14-13. SJC would win the match with a 15-13 set-five victory.
Norscia hit .304 for her 23 kills while Weiss finished with 17 kills. Bonewits collected 12 kills while
Hannah Moore (Louisville, Ky. / Assumption) finished with 15 digs. Reeves dished out 38 assists. WSU outhit SJC .244 to .156.
Match Two vs. William Jewell (29-27, 25-17, 26-24)Back-to-back attack errors from the Cardinals gave WSU a 7-3 lead to begin the first set. The Warriors expanded their lead to 10-4 on a kill from Moore. William Jewell pulled within one at 11-10. The set was tied at 24-24, 26-26 and 27-27 before WSU was able to string together a 3-0 run to overcome a 27-26 deficit and win the set 29-27.
The Warriors led 12-7 to begin the second set and a Bonewits kill would put WSU on top 18-10. Frazee and Norscia both collected kills down the stretch to help the Warriors to a 25-17 set-two victory and a 2-0 match lead.
The third set was close throughout. WJC led 13-11 before Wayne State found its stroke. Norscia continued her solid day with a kill to give WSU a 20-16 lead. The set was tied at 20-20 and WJC would lead 23-21. WSU finished the set on a 5-1 run to win 26-24 and secure just its second sweep of the season.
Weiss and Moore both posted 12-kill performances while Weiss hit .429 for the match. Norscia finished with 10 kills while Reeves handed out 35 assists.
Carlee Hunt (Waterford, Mich. / Walled Lake Northern) led the defense with 21 digs. WSU's offense hit .243 compared to WJC's 145.
The tournament concludes on Saturday as WSU will play Maryville at 2 PM ET.
