DETROIT -- The Wayne State University volleyball team (3-1 Overall) split its two matches on Saturday as play concluded in the 2017 Warrior Volleyball Invitational.  WSU bested Wisconsin-Parkside (1-3 Overall) before falling to Gannon (3-1) in the final match of the event.  Both Gannon and Wayne State finished with a 3-1 record to lead the five-team tournament field.

Following the match, Hailey Richardson (New Boston, Mich. / Huron) was named to the All-Tournament Team and was the event's Most Outstanding Player.  Joining Richardson on the team were Michelle Asiedu (Holland, Ohio / Springfield), Sydney Powell and Alivia Garbe of Minnesota State and Kelsey Ansec and Rebekah Smith of Gannon.

MATCH ONE vs. WISCONSIN-PARKSIDE (W, 3-1 / 25-13, 25-19, 18-25, 25-21)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- An Ellie Rodriguez (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Catholic Central) service ace gave WSU a 6-4 lead to open the first set.  Asiedu extended the home lead to 13-8 with a kill.  The Warriors used a 7-0 run to cruise to a 22-10 lead.  WSU would go on to win the set 25-13.

- The teams alternated points to begin the second set and the Rangers led 9-8 after a block of a WSU attack.  The Green & Gold responded and led 15-12 after kills from Hannah Moore (Louisville, Ky. / Assumption) and Richardson, forcing a UWP timeout.  Wayne State won the race to 20 on another point from Asiedu to give WSU a 20-14 advantage.  The deficit shrunk to three but the Warriors would win 25-19.

- Wisconsin-Parkside used three aces during the first five points to jump out to a 5-0 lead to start set three.  WSU cut UWP's lead to one at 17-16 after a 4-0 run.  However, the Rangers would control the rest of the set and win 25-18.

- A home kill and an attacking error on the visitors have WSU a 6-3 lead early in the fourth set.  UWP would come back to lead 7-6 before consecutive errors put WSU up 11-9.  Madelyn Krenz (Chenoa, Ill. / Prairie Central) tallied a kill to give the Warriors an 18-14 lead.  The Rangers would tie the set at 18-18 after a 4-0 run but WSU won five of the final six points to win the game 25-21.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
- Richardson notched a match high 15 kills, while Asiedu collected 13 kills, while hitting .500.  Karen Sidge (White Lake, Mich. / Howell) made her season debut with 27 assists, while Ellie Rodriguez (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Catholic Central) led the defense with 20 digs.

MATCH TWO vs. GANNON (L, 1-3 / 25-23, 24-26, 10-25, 21-25)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It looked as though WSU would improve to 4-0 early in the first set as it used a fast start to earn an 8-3 lead.  The Golden Knights stormed back to take an 11-10 lead but the Green & Gold would regain their form and led 21-16 later in the set.  Gannon trimmed WSU's lead to 21-20 with a 4-0 run but the Warriors would hold on for a 25-23 victory.

- Wayne State began the second set with a 6-2 lead after a Krenz kill.  The advantage grew to 10-6 after a point from Richardson.  The home bench continued to control the momentum as WSU led 16-12 but Gannon used a 6-0 run to take a 18-16 lead.  Wayne State answered with a 5-0 run, highlighted by a combo block by Moore and Grace Frazee (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Grand Rapids Christian).  A Richardson kill pulled WSU within a point of winning the set and taking a 2-0 lead but GU won the final three points to win the set 26-24/.

- Gannon set the tone early in the third set and raced past Wayne State, 25-10.

- Gannon led the fourth set 10-8 and eventually 16-10.  The Warriors would cut the deficit to one, 19-18, after a kill from Christa Raicevich (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. / Grosse Pointe North).  However, GU would go on to wint he set 25-21 and the match three sets to one.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
- Richardson tallied 16 kills and 13 digs for a double-double.  Natalie Breault (Bad Axe, Mich.) dished out 36 assists.

FROM COACH KOTH
"This was a positive and productive opening weekend for the Warriors.   The competition at this event was outstanding featuring five different conferences being represented by quality opponents.  We were able to learn a lot about our team. There were two great performances by Hailey and Michelle to earn All Tournament Team honors."

UP NEXT
- WSU will travel to Illinois for the Quincy Tournament where the Warriors will face Minnesota State-Moorhead, McKendree, Quincy, Northwest Missouri State on Friday and Saturday.