DETROIT -- The Wayne State University volleyball team (9-2, 2-1 GLIAC) is building a reputation as comeback specialists but Friday night's rally fell short against Saginaw Valley State (5-6, 1-2 GLIAC). The Cardinals took sets one, two and four to win 3-1 and snap WSU's six-match winning streak and hand the Warriors their first home loss of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• WSU led 5-3 in the opening set after a solo block by
Mikayla Shell (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington). SVSU responded with four straight points to take a 7-4 advantage. The Cardinals began to seize control of the game and led 18-12 following a 6-1 run. WSU cut the deficit to four at 23-19 and 24-20 but the visitors finished the set, winning 25-20.
• The Green & Gold started fast in the second set, leading 8-4 after a service ace from
Hannah Moore (Louisville, Ky. / Assumption). Another point from Moore later in the set extended WSU's lead to 14-7. Moore continued to carry the Warriors, and gave WSU a 17-11 lead after another kill. SVSU stormed back to tie the set at 19-19 and then lead 20-19 forcing WSU to use both of its timeouts during the rally. WSU was unable to slow the Cardinals' momentum and SVSU took a 2-0 match lead with a 25-21 triumph.
• The third set was tied at 4-4 and WSU took a 6-5 lead after a SVSU attack error.
Hailey Richardson (New Boston, Mich. / Huron) found her swing and delivered a kill to keep the set tied at 7-7. A kill from
Avery Punches (Rockford, Mich.) put WSU on top, 10-9. Wayne State would hold onto a narrow lead until SVSU tied the set at 14-14 and 15-15. The Cards took an 18-16 lead and eventually led 23-20. WSU won the final five points to win 25-23 and avoid being swept.
• Hoping to see another stunning comeback, the high-energy crowd saw WSU take an early 2-1 lead in the fourth set. An SVSU ace and a WSU service error gave the visitors a 6-4 advantage before WSU would go on a 6-0 run to take an 11-7 lead. The home margin grew to 14-8 and then 15-11. The Cardinals answered by going on 6-0 run of their own and took a 20-17 lead. Moore and Richardson did their best to keep WSU in the game but the Cardinals would go on to win 25-22 after WSU trimmed the deficit to 24-22 with a kill from
Michelle Asiedu (Holland, Ohio / Springfield).
UP NEXT
• WSU will play match eight of its nine-match home stand on Saturday with first serve set for 4 p.m.