AURORA, Ill. -- The 2016 Mizuno Midwest Regional crossover concluded on Saturday and the Wayne State University volleyball team (17-3) split the final day of the event with a five-set defeat to Rockhurst (16-4) and a 3-0 sweep over Cedarville (15-6).

Following the tournament, Emily Norscia (Livonia, Mich. / Livonia Churchill) was named to the All-Tournament Team highlighted by a 25-kill performance where she hit .412 against Rockhurst.  WSU and the rest of the GLIAC went 30-15 during the two days.

MATCH ONE vs. ROCKHURST (L, 2-3 / 19-25, 25-19, 25-16, 26-28, 15-17)
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Rockhurst led the opening set 6-1 and eventually 12-4 to force head coach Tim Koth to take his second timeout of the game.  The Warriors would trim the Hawks' lead to 22-17 on a kill from Brittany Guldan (West Bloomfield, Mich. / Walled Lake Central) but RU would control the rest of the set and win 25-19.

• A kill from Mikayla Shell (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) put WSU on top 7-4 early in the second set.  The tightly contested game stayed close but Michelle Asiedu (Holland, Ohio / Springfield) collected a solo block to keep WSU ahead 10-9.  Another point from Shell made it 20-16 in favor of the Green & Gold and kills from Asiedu, Avery Punches (Rockford, Mich.) and Norscia, the Warriors won game two 25-19.

• WSU absolutely blitzed Rockhurst in the third set, leading 14-1, 21-11 and eventually winning 25-16 to take a 2-1 match lead.

• The Hawks led the fourth set 10-4 and controlled much of the game until WSU made a late push.  The Warriors tied the set at 22-22 after back-to-back kills from Norscia and a point from Shell.  WSU was a point away from winning the match after another Norscia kill put the score at 24-22.  RU broke serve and took a 26-25 lead before winning the game 28-26.

• The GLVC member led the final set 6-3 but Wayne State would tie the game at 8-8 after a spike from Asiedu.  A 3-0 run by WSU put the Warriors in a familiar position - a point away from closing out the match.  However, Rockhurst won five of the final six points to steal a 17-15 victory and 3-2 match win.

MATCH TWO vs. CEDARVILLE (W, 3-1 / 25-23, 25-21, 21-25, 25-22)
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Hailey Richardson (New Boston, Mich. / Huron) gave WSU a 9-5 advantage in the first set.  The Yellow Jackets led 16-15 before a Punches kill tied the set.  The game remained close but a kill from Asiedu made it 24-22 and Norscia gave the Warriors a 25-23 win to take a 1-0 match lead.

• WSU led 7-3 to begin the second set.  Guldan notched a kill to keep the Warriors ahead comfortably 10-5.  Another kill from Wayne State's all-league caliber setter put the score at 15-7.  WSU handled the rest of game easily and won 25-21.

• Cedarville led the third set 13-6 and 17-7 as it looked to avoid being swept.  However, the resilient Warriors stormed back and trailed 21-20 after a Yellow Jackets' attacking error.  Cedarville regained its momentum and won the set 25-21.

• The fourth set was tied at 4-4 after a kill from Asiedu.  Punches gave WSU a 10-0 lead with a kill.  The Yellow Jackets led 14-13 midway through the set but another kill from Asiedu deadloacked the game once again, at 14-14.  A service ace and a CU attack error pushed WSU's lead to 20-18.  The Warriors would hold onto their slim lead for the duration of the set and win 25-22 and take the match 3-1.

UP NEXT
• The Warriors return home to host Grand Valley State on Friday night at 7 p.m.