SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Wayne State University volleyball team (3-1) concluded play at the UIS Capital Classic on Saturday with a split.  With a 2-0 match lead, Wayne State trailed 23-19 in the third set against Upper Iowa in the first match of the day but would rally for the final six points to win 25-23 and complete the sweep.  WSU was unable to finish a 2-0 match lead in the weekend finale as Illinois-Springfield (2-2) rallied to win 3-2.

WSU was the tournament champions finishing the weekend with the best record of the six participating teams.  Following the season-opening weekend, Hannah Moore (Louisville, Ky. / Assumption) and Brittany Guldan (West Bloomfield, Mich. / Walled Lake Central) were named to the All-Tournament Team.
 
MATCH ONE vs. UPPER IOWA (W, 3-0 / 25-23, 25-15, 25-23)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Warriors led the first set 4-1 and were the first team to 10, leading 10-8 after a set error by the Peacocks.  UIU would stay close, tying the set at 14-14 before Moore capped a 3-0 run with a kill to put WSU up 17-14.  After a UIU attack error, the Green & gold led 23-18.  However, the Peacocks would pull within a point (23-22) following a 5-0 run.  Madelyn Krenz (Chenoa, Ill. / Prairie Central) and Moore tallied two kills to seal the win.
 
- A dual block from Moore and Mikayla Shell (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) in the second set put WSU up 7-1.  The Warriors continued to cruise and led 20-10 before going on to win 25-15.
 
- The Peacocks would not go without a fight and led the third set 4-1 and eventually 9-3.  A mini 3-0 run capped by a solo block from Moore brought the Warriors within two, 12-10.    The momentum stayed with the visiting bench and Upper Iowa led 17-11.  The Peacocks were two points away when the Warriors would go on a 6-0 run to complete the comeback and collect the 3-0 sweep.

MATCH TWO vs. ILLINOIS-SPRINGFIELD (L, 2-3 / 25-17, 25-20, 23-25, 20-25, 15-17)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Illinois-Springfield sprinted out to a 4-0 lead in the first set of the match and would eventually lead 10-5.  The Prairie Stars continued to control the opening stanza, leading 17-13 following a poor serve from Moore.  However, the Warriors would find their rhythm and end the set on a 12-0 run to steal a win.  A pair of aces from Karen Sidge (White Lake, Mich. / Howell) and Haley Tenelshof (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Jenison) proved to be key down the stretch.
 
- Michelle Asiedu (Holland, Ohio / Springfield) helped WSU to a 3-0 lead in the second set with a solo block.  Points from Asiedu and Moore moved Wayne State ahead 14-9.  In what is becoming a trend with this year's squad, the Warriors finished the set strong.  WSU collected the final four points to win 25-20, including kills from Asiedu, Moore and Krenz.
 
- The third set was tight throughout and WSU held onto a 9-7 lead after a kill from Shell.  UIS was able to tie the period at 15-15 during a 5-0 run, which was stopped by a kill from Krenz.  Needing one-point to clinch the set, UIS had to deal with a late charge from WSU.  Hailey Richardson (New Boston, Mich. / Huron) cut the host's lead to 24-23 with a kill to conclude a 4-0 run.  However, UIS finished the set with a 25-23 victory after an attack error by WSU.
 
- Playing on their home court, the Prairie Stars began the fourth set by winning the first five points.  WSU would never lead as UIS would lead by as many as 10 points.  The Warriors would make a late rally, pulling within three (23-20) but the Stars would force a decisive fifth set with a 25-20 set win.
 
- An ace from Moore gave the Green & Gold a 3-1 lead in the race to 15 fifth set.  An attack error by UIS tied the final set at 8-8.  Despite leading 14-12 after a kill from Krenz, WSU could not complete the job.  UIS won five of the final six points to win the deciding set 17-15.
 
UP NEXT
- Wayne State will host the Warrior Invitational for the first time since 2009 beginning on Friday morning.  WSU will host Northwood, Seton Hill, St. Joseph's and West Virginia Wesleyan.  Each team will play four matches in two days inside the Matthaei.  For more details on the tournament, visit the Warrior Invitational Central page.