DETROIT -- The Wayne State University volleyball team (6-4 overall, 1-1 GLIAC) bounced back on Saturday afternoon to win in three sets over Purdue Northwest (2-7 overall, 0-2 GLIAC). The Warriors won by scores of 25-15, 25-20 and 25-17.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Green & Gold used two Pride errors and a kill from
Madelyn Krenz (Chenoa, Ill. / Prairie Central) to tie the first set at 5-5. An ace by
Halle Shell (Port Huron, Mich. / Port Huron Northern) and a point from
Julia Malewicz (Macomb, Mich. / Utica Academy for International Studies / Henry Ford II) pushed the home advantage to 11-9. The momentum stayed with Wayne State and the margin grew to six after a kill by
Lauren VanderWal (Caledonia, Mich.). Strong service from
Sam Palazzolo (Shelby Twp., Mich. / Utica Eisenhower), including an ace allowed WSU to take a 23-13 lead and win 25-15 after a kill by
Taylor Wagner (St. Joseph, Mich. / Lakeshore).
Purdue Northwest led the second set 8-5 but the Warriors responded and tied the set at 14-14 following a 4-0 run. The rally included a kill from VanderWal and a service ace by
Maddy Benoit (Farmington, Mich. / Mercy).
Olivia Fike (North Branch, Mich.) gave the Green & Gold a 19-17 advantage on a kill of her own. The Pride pulled within one, 21-20, but WSU scored the final four points, including two kills from VanderWal and two aces by Benoit to win 25-20.
Wayne State set the tone early in the third set and led 3-0 and 11-2. PNW would mount a mini comeback and trim the deficit to 17-11. However, Saturday's match differed from Friday's match as WSU regained the momentum and led 22-14 before winning 25-17.
LEADING THE WARRIORS
VanderWal paced the offensive attack and matched her career-high with 17 kills, while hitting an impressive .586 on 29 total swings.
Kamryn Duffield (Romeo, Mich.) finished with 38 assists, while Benoit tallied a team-best 10 digs.
ONE BIG THING
WSU hit .386 for the match compared to PNW's .147 hitting percentage.
THOUGHTS FROM COACH KOTH
"I was very happy with how our young team responded today after a tough loss last night. It was nice to see us execute and correct many of our mistakes we made last night."
UP NEXT
Wayne State travels to play three matches next week beginning on Tuesday at Ashland. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
