HAMMOND, Ind. -- The Wayne State University volleyball team (14-4 overall) had its season-long six-match winning streak (longest since 2021) snapped by Missouri-St. Louis (16-4 overall) on Saturday to conclude play at the Midwest Region Crossover. While the Warriors' streak ended, the Tritons have been on the right end of the scoreboard for nine in a row.
"Today was a great learning experience for the Warriors," said head coach
Tim Koth. "We competed very well and learned how to play in big moments. We will be better next time we have this opportunity."
Missouri-St. Louis 3, Wayne State 1
HOW IT HAPPENED (21-25, 19-25, -23, 22-25)
- Both teams hit the ball efficiently including .253 for Wayne State and .273 by Missouri-St. Louis.
- The Warriors notched 59 kills to 21 errors on 150 total attacks.
- The Tritons' line included 62 kills and 21 mishaps on just as many swings.
- WSU's best individual set was the first at .345 with 14 kills, four errors and 29 attempts.
- UMSL's best period was also the opening one at .317 with 18 kills, five miscues and 41 total attacks.
- Three Warriors turned in double-figure kills including Kayla Giroux (19), Paige Giehtbrock (14) and Katerina Stout (11, two off career high).
- Giroux and Stout both did so efficiently with hitting percentages of .350 and .421, respectively.
- Staying on offense, Kayla Dulgar notched 48 assists while Abby Macalaguim and Giehtbrock registered one service ace apiece.
- Defensively, Kendyl Andrews paced the dig department with 15 and Lauren Essenpreis was also in double-digits with 10.
- Three Warriors were right on Essenpreis' heels though including Dulgar, Macalaguim and Giehtbrock with nine, nine and eight, respectively.
- Above the net, Giroux (six assisted blocks), Leigha Baldwin (five assisted), Dulgar (three assisted) and Stout (three assisted) led the way.
- Wayne State's lone solo stop came from Giehtbrock.
LEADING THE WARRIORS
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Dulgar and Giehtbrock were two of seven GLIAC players named to the Midwest Region Crossover All-Tournament Team. Dulgar finished with 136 assists (12.4 per set), 11 kills (.320 hitting percentage), 22 digs and eight total blocks in three matches. Giehtbrock totaled 45 kills on 113 attempts (.265 hitting percentage), four service aces, 22 digs and four total blocks in her trio of outings.
UP NEXT
Wayne State will stay on the road for the return of league play as it travels to Michigan Tech for a Friday night first serve of 5 p.m. in Houghton.
