AURORA, Ill. -- The Wayne State University volleyball team (11-8 Overall) took a break from the GLIAC schedule for the 10th annual Midwest Regional Crossover on Friday.  The Warriors entered the two-day tournament as the league's fourth seed and upset the GLVC's second-seed McKendree (14-4 Overall) in five sets before falling in four sets versus the GLVC's fourth-seed Rockhurst (16-5 Overall).

McKendree edged Wayne State 3-1 earlier this season at the Quincy Tournament.  Both of WSU's opponents were receiving votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll. 

The 56-match event is the nation's largest collegiate volleyball tournament in one venue.  Wayne State is 14-16 all-time at the Crossover event.

MATCH ONE vs. MCKENDREE (W, 3-2 / 14-25, 25-16, 15-25, 25-15, 15-13)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Bearcats led the first set 11-1 and the Warriors were unable to overcome the slow start as McKendree would go on to win 25-14.

- It looked as though the momentum would stay with McKendree as it led the second set 9-3.  However, the Warriors started to chip away at the deficit and trailed 12-10 after a kill from Michelle Asiedu (Holland, Ohio / Springfield).  A point from Hailey Richardson (New Boston, Mich. / Huron) tied the set at 13-13.  The Warriors' rally continued and Madelyn Krenz (Chenoa, Ill. / Prairie Central) extended WSU's lead to 18-14 with a kill of her own.  Wayne State ended the set on a 6-1 run, including a set-clinching kill from Grace Frazee (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Grand Rapids Christian). to win 25-16.

- The third set was tied at 5-5 and the Bearcats eventually led 13-8.  McKendree's lead grew to 20-8 as it took a 2-1 match lead with a 25-15 victory.

- After the fourth set was tied at 12-12, the Green & Gold would dominate the rest of the set.  Asiedu broke the tie with a kill and from there WSU would finish the set on a 12-3 run, including three aces from Richardson, to win 25-15.

- The fifth and decisive set was tied at 3-3 early in the game but the Warriors used three kills from Richardson to stake themselves to a 10-6 lead.  The Bearcats pulled within one at 12-11 and 13-12 but WSU would hold on to win 15-13.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
- Krenz finished with 15 kills, while Richardson posted 14 and Hannah Moore (Louisville, Ky. / Assumption) tallied 10.  Karen Sidge (White Lake, Mich. / Howell) dished out 31 assists, while Ellie Rodriguez (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Catholic Central) was able to 16 balls to lead the defense.

MATCH TWO vs. ROCKHURST (L, 1-3 / 22-25, 29-27, 25-23, 25-18)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Four straight points by WSU gave the Warriors a 9-4 lead in set one.  The advantage grew to 15-10 but the hawks would tie the set at 19-19 and eventually win 25-22.

- Rockhurst led the second set 5-1 but a Karen Sidge (White Lake, Mich. / Howell) kill tied the game at 8-8.  A point from Richardson kept the set tied at 18-18 and the set would remain close the rest of the way.  After both sides took turns serving for the victory, WSU would win the set 29-27 after another point from Richardson and a solo block from Asiedu.

- Krenz gave WSU a 3-1 lead to begin the third set.  Madison Kielty (Plymouth, Mich. / Canton) delivered an ace to give the Warriors some breathing room at 9-7.  The lead remained at two, 18-16, after a Hawks' attack error.  The closely-contested match was tied at 22-22 but the Hawks won three of the final four points to win the set 25-23.

- Rockhurst led the fourth set 7-3.  A kill and an ace from Moore trimmed the deficit to 12-8 and Asiedu continued the rally with a kill to bring WSU with two at 16-14.  However, the Hawks led 22-16 and eventually won 25-18.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
- Richardson led WSU with 17 kills, while Krenz tallied 12.  Natalie Breault (Bad Axe, Mich.) finished with 44 assists.  Rodriguez collected 28 digs and Haley Tenelshof (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Jenison) added 21 digs.

UP NEXT
- Wayne State concludes the tournament on Saturday against the G-MAC's fourth seed Cedarville at 2:00 p.m. eastern.