Ohio Valley Conference

MOREHEAD, Ky. - The Morehead State volleyball team was swept by Toledo in the opening match of the Comfort Inn-Vitational in Johnson Arena in Morehead Friday.

Toledo (4-0) hit .333 for the match, slamming 47 kills winning in straight sets 25-22, 25-14, 25-23. The Rockets were led aby Olivia Heitkamp and Jessica Costlow with 11 kills each. The Rockets got off to a fast start from the service line, notching four aces in the opening set. Toledo finished with seven services aces in the match.

Morehead State (1-4) recorded 34 kills, hitting .219. The Eagles were led by Amelia Nott with eight kills. Hollan Everett and Sarah Heath added seven kills apiece.

Morehead State started fast and finished strong prevailing over UIC 3-2 Friday night in Johnson Arena in the final match of day one of the Comfort Inn-Vitational.

Morehead State (2-3) had four players with double-figure kills totals, led by M.E. Hargan with 17, Hollan Everett with 16 and 11 apiece from Sarah Heath and Amelia Nott.

The Eagles got off to fast start, winning the first two sets, 25-15, 25-19, finishing off the second set with an 8-0 run climaxed by Logan Smith's second ace of the match.

UIC (1-4) responded with a furious charge, winning the third set 25-14, highlighted by an 8-0 run to pull ahead 20-9 and coast to the set win. UIC used a four-point run and two three-point runs in the fourth set to take a 23-20 lead. MSU battled back and held off two set points before dropping the set 26-24 and forcing the tiebreaker.

UIC scored first, and the Eagles answered with a five-point run and closed the match out outscoring the Flames 4-1, capped by Hargan's 17th kill of the match.

The UIC attack was paced by Cleo Lorenzo with 15 kills and Julieta Sandez with 10.

NORTH ALABAMA 3, TENNESSEE TECH 1
UAB 3, TENNESSEE TECH 0
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Tennessee Tech had two tough outings on Friday as the Golden Eagles fell 3-1 to North Alabama, then 3-0 in the nightcap against the host UAB Blazers at their home event.

The Golden Eagles (2-3) close out action at the UAB Blazer Invitational on Saturday at noon as they take on USC Upstate.

Bella Powell led the Golden Eagles in the opening match against the Lions with 10 kills, while MK Roberts and Audrey Berkebile each had a team-high 15 digs. Jordan Karlen completed the double-double with 35 assists and 10 digs. Berkebile also had a career-high nine kills against UNA, while Tuva Falk also set a new personal best with eight.

Kendall Barnes had 16 kills and Reese Ricketts 15 to pace the Lions, while Kinslee McGowan had 41 assists. Olivia Fenoff collected 15 digs.

North Alabama won the first set 25-20 and took the 2-0 advantage on a 25-18 effort. The Golden Eagles claimed the third set with a 25-18 victory, but the Lions closed out the match with a 25-22 win in the fourth set to earn their third victory of the season.

Errors hurt Tech's chances in both matches as the Golden Eagles had nine service errors against UNA and six more against the Blazers. Tech also had 16 attack errors in the nightcap and 27 in the opener for 43 on the day.

Powell finished with nine more kills against the Blazers, while Ava Schubert collected eight. Karlen had 21 assists.

Abby Jones led UAB with 13 kills, while Annastiina Tarkkanen had 23 assists. Delaney Bowser had 11 digs.

UAB won 25-19 in the first set before posting identical 25-20 scores in the second and third.

MURRAY STATE 3, WESTERN ILLINOIS 2
WESTERN ILLINIOIS 3, AUSTIN PEAY 0
ST. LOUIS - Western Illinois Volleyball fought through two matches on Friday, (Sep. 5) at the Chaifetz Pavilion, falling in a five-set match to Murray State in the morning before winning their afternoon match against Austin Peay in three sets. The Leathernecks move 1-4 on their season.

The Leathernecks opened their day at the SLU Tournament against Murray State in a five-set thriller.

The Racers took charge in the first set, pulling ahead with a strong run and holding off WIU 25-20.  In the second set, the Leathernecks respond by getting off to an early 12-8 lead. Unfortunately, the Racers battled back to gain the separation they needed to take the second set, 25-20. 

WIU offense jumped out to an early lead in the third set. Kills from Keyana Cruse, Caroline Clayton, and Elizabeth Ziegler saw the Leathernecks in front 7-5. WIU found their senior middle Grace Kremer late in set three as the Leathernecks took set three 25-19.

The Leathernecks rode the momentum into the fourth set. Kills from Hillary Estes and Kiyah Franklin gave WIU an early tie to the Racers with 2-2. Adair took over in the middle portion of set four with a pair of kills. Adair and Franklin finished off the set strong, but the Racers managed to win 26-24.

In the decisive fifth set, WIU would take the lead 5-2 before the Racers closed the gap with back-to-back kills at 8-7. Murray State would maintain the lead, eventually closing the match 15-12 in the final set. 

In their second match of the day, Western Illinois continued the SLU Tournament against the Austin Peay Governors.

WIU got off to a quick start in the first set, leading 7-1 after kills from Audrey Pender and Hillary Estes. Back-to-back kills by the Governors caught them up, bringing the score to 8-7. The Leathernecks turned to Cruse and Ziegler, who led the way for a 25-22 victory in the first set.

The second set stayed on the Leathernecks' side, with Adair and Kremer leading the way for an early 5-2 lead.  The Leathernecks kept the pressure on the Governors, riding the momentum to take set two, 25-15.

The third set proved to be the final of the day. Despite the Governors jumping out to an early lead, Keyana Cruse registered back-to-back kills, providing the Leathernecks a 3-2 lead. A kill by Audrey Pender saw WIU continue the lead 5-4. The Leathernecks, with the surge they needed to cruise to a 25-20 victory, finishing the day with a 3-0 win.

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISANA 3, LITTLE ROCK 1
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 3, LITTLE ROCK 2
CONWAY, Ark. - Little Rock ran into a hot opponent Friday morning in the opening match of the UCA Invitational, and was unable to get past Southeastern Louisiana, falling 3-1 at the Prince Center. The unbeaten Lions (4-0) won by scores of 25-21, 25-21, 25-27, and 25-15.
 
Against the Lions, Bella Cherry (12), Crismeyli Rodriguez (12), A'lanae Margaritha (9), and Sophia Garrido (7) led the Trojans in kills. Jaycee Kennedy also had four kills and hit a team-best .333 percent. Rodriguez hit .258. Dariana Valencia led the ladies with 20 assists, while Kaylee Smith had 16 assists to go with three aces. 
 
On the defensive side, Andrea Roman paced Little Rock with 22 digs, and Cherry added 10. Rodriguez had a team-high five blocks and Margaritha added three.

Little Rock and Central Arkansas traded jabs Friday night in front of a full house at the Prince Center, until the host Sugar Bears emerged with a 3-2 win over the Trojans during the UCA Invitational, in a match that also gave UCA three points towards the Governor's Cup.
 
After splitting two matches last season, UCA (1-2) took this year's installment of the Governor's I-40 Showdown presented by Arkansas BCBS, by scores of 25-15, 23-25, 25-15, 23-25, and 15-11.
 
Little Rock (2-3) will look to end the weekend on a winning note when it meets Boston College tomorrow at 4 pm in Conway. The Trojans dropped both matches on Friday.
 
Bella Cherry (17 kills), Avery Fearnley (12 kills), and A'lanae Margaritha (7 kills) led the Trojan attack. Fearnley's total is a new personal single-game high, just one week after the redshirt freshman had set the mark with 11 during the Lion Invitational in Texas.
 
Margaritha led the hitting attack at .313, while Dariana Valencia (26) and Kaylee Smith (15) paced the Trojans in assists. Cherry and Andrea Roman each had an ace.
 
Roman led the defensive effort with 26 digs, while Smith totaled 11. Margaritha had a team-high three blocks, Jaycee Kennedy added a pair, and Fearnley also had a pair.

SOUTHEST MISSOURI 3, WESTERN MICHIGAN 2
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 3, NORTHERN KENTUCKY 2
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Southeast Missouri Volleyball (3-3) picked up two, five-set victories on Friday afternoon to conclude the Indiana Invitational against Western Michigan and Northern Kentucky, respectively.

Southeast Missouri State secured the first set versus Western Michigan 25-17 with strong offensive plays. Katy St. John led with multiple kills, contributing significantly to the home team's scoring. Megan Holder facilitated the offense with several key assists, enhancing Southeast's attack. Lucy Arndt and Kara Oxenknecht added vital points with well-timed kills to keep the momentum. Alaina Lester and St. John combined for a successful block, adding defensive strength to Southeast's performance.
 
Southeast Missouri State secured a 25-18 victory in the second set. St. John contributed significantly with three kills during the set. Marin Johnson and Holder combined for a service ace and multiple assists, aiding the home team's scoring. Avery Torrey and Arndt each added two crucial kills to maintain momentum. Western Michigan's Mary Clare Brusek led her team with multiple kills, attempting to close the gap. Southeast capitalized on Western Michigan's service errors, contributing to their final score.

Southeast Missouri State began the set with an early 6-2 lead, highlighted by kills from Johnson and St. John. Holder facilitated Southeast's attack, providing multiple assists, including three consecutive kills by Torrey. Western Michigan responded with a 7-1 run to tie the set at 17-17, fueled by three kills from Keely Culler and two from Molly Brown. The set remained tightly contested, reaching a 23-23 tie before Western Michigan secured the set 25-23, capitalizing on two late attack errors by Southeast.

Western Michigan took an early lead with a 5-point run, reaching a 12-6 advantage. St. John of Southeast recorded three consecutive kills, contributing to a brief 4-0 run. Leah Richmond of Western Michigan assisted on six key plays, including two service aces. Annalise Patchett and Brusek combined for four kills, helping Western Michigan secure the set 25-16. Southeast's defense contributed with blocks from St. John and Lester, though they couldn't close the gap.

Southeast Missouri State secured the final set 15-13 to win the match 3-2. Holder was instrumental for Southeast, assisting on five kills during the set. Alandry Below contributed significantly with two assists and a key kill late in the set. Western Michigan's Brusek recorded two kills to keep the set competitive. Patchett led Western Michigan's offense early with two kills. Southeast's Johnson delivered the decisive kill to close the set.

Northern Kentucky took the first set 25-21, closing with a kill from Sydney Bray. Southeast Missouri State rallied multiple times to tie the score, including a 4-0 run to even it at 8-8. Marin Johnson contributed with three critical kills for the visitors during the set. Abbigail Pickard facilitated the Norse's offense with numerous assists, including during key stretches.

Southeast Missouri State secured the set with a 25-21 victory over Northern Kentucky. Lucy Arndt contributed significantly with multiple kills, including an early kill to set the tone at 2-1. Katherine St. John and Ramiri Gardner each added key kills late in the set to maintain the lead. Alandry Below tallied an essential service ace that pushed the visitors closer to the set win at 24-17. The Norse's Ivey Stocks responded with several kills to keep the set competitive, closing the gap to 24-21 before Southeast Missouri State clinched the set.

Southeast Missouri State built an early 9-2 lead, highlighted by kills from Alaina Lester and Ramiri Gardner. The Norse responded with a 6-0 run to tie the set at 18-18, featuring a service ace by Kendall Hopewell. Lester and Reagan Nelson combined for a crucial block on Bray, bringing the score to 14-8. The set closed with a 7-1 run by Northern Kentucky, culminating in a service ace to win the set 25-20.

The visitors edged ahead early, opening with a 5-2 lead bolstered by kills from Katherine St. John and Avery Torrey. Arndt led the offensive charge with key kills, contributing significantly to the guests' scoring and helping extend the lead to 20-13. Below's setting facilitated multiple kills, recording assists on several pivotal points during the late surge. Service aces from Megan Holder and Arndt added crucial points, helping the visitors maintain momentum and widen the gap. Johnson secured the set victory with a decisive kill, closing the period at 25-21.

The visitors clinched the set with a narrow 19-17 victory over Northern Kentucky. Johnson contributed significantly with four kills, coming from sets by Below. St. John added three kills, playing a crucial role in the guests' offensive efforts. Below's setting was pivotal, assisting on multiple key plays to maintain the visitors' lead. The guests' defense capitalized on critical Norse attack errors, including two from Ava Hoying, to gain an advantage.

EASTERN ILLINOIS 3, KANSAS CITY 0
EASTERN ILLINOIS 3, NEW MEXICO STATE 0
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Eastern Illinois' volleyball cruise past Kansas City to open their three-match weekend at the Saluki Bash. EIU moves to 3-0, while Kansas City drops to 0-4. 

After a successful weekend in Athens, Ohio, EIU wasted no time to keep the momentum rolling. Panthers dominated right from the jump with a quick 11-5 lead, forcing a Roos timeout. With two games today, EIU used a new lineup combination featuring 2025 OVC players to watch Lilli Amettis. After the timeout, Eastern Illinois put the set away early using 5-0 scoring and a 4-0 scoring to end the first set. EIU recorded 10 kills and 4 blocks and held the lead throughout the entire set. 

Head Coach Ryan Millar was able to continue to smile after set one when the Panthers dominated once again. Set two was no different when EIU started with a 14-5 lead, causing the Roos to call another early timeout. The foot remained on the gas, extending the lead to 20-12, and controlled the game the rest of the way with 13 total kills, 3 aces, and 1 block to top Kansas City. 

Unlike the first two sets, Kansas City provided resistance to EIU and took an early lead. Without panicking, the Panthers battled the storm and fought back to tie the set 11-11. Both teams battled for positioning with little separation. Set three included 10 ties and 7 lead changes. With the game on the line, trailing 19-20, EIU flipped the switch that activated a 6-0 scoring run to complete the match sweep against Kansas City. The Panthers totaled 17 kills, 17 assists, and 22 digs to push past the Roos. 

With a new lineup combination came new team leaders. Amettis led the game with 13 kills and 14 points. Giorgia Cappelletti held the highest hitting percentage at .538, Sylvia Hasz contributed 35 assists, while Anaya Rawlinson produced 4 blocks.

The Panthers volleyball team and new head coach Ryan Millar have now won the past nine sets and four straight games to start the 2025 season. EIU moves to 4-0, while New Mexico State falls to 3-2.

New Mexico State brought a different level of intensity to start the late afternoon match, catching EIU off guard. NMS caught fire and took a quick 7-2 lead charged by Maggie Lightheart and Makayla Martinez's serving ability. Facing adversity for one of the few times all season, the Panthers turned the table with a 3-0 run and mounted a much-needed spark. New Mexico State controlled the majority of the set until midway through when the Panthers took control, causing two separate Aggie timeouts due to a 6-0 scoring run. EIU battled in a back-and-forth affair until Lilli Amettis killed match point, assisted by Catalina Rochaix. 

EIU had a better start to set number two with a 10-5 lead over the Aggies. With the lead, the Panthers got comfortable, allowing New Mexico State to go on a 7-0 scoring run to take a 12-10 lead. After being woken up by the Aggies' acceleration, EIU kept the contest close, setting up another wild ending. The Panthers would use a service error by New Mexico State's Makayla Martinez to score four unanswered points. EIU would eventually hold onto the short lead and win set two. 

With a match sweep on the line, both teams put their best foot forward with exchanging their own long scoring runs. In the final set, there were six ties and two lead changes, with both teams having a 5-0 scoring run. With the game knotted up at 12 apiece, the Panthers would take control, scoring four unanswered. However, with their backs against the wall, the Aggies fought back to tie the game 20-20. EIU would use two solo blocks from Emma Schroeder and their 5-0 scoring run to propel the Panthers to a match sweep. 

Rochaix led the game with 29 assists, followed by Emma Schroeders' 5 blocks.

NICHOLLS STATE 3, TENNESSEE STATE 0
TENNESSEE STATE 3, ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 1
NASHVILLE - Head coach Donika Sutton collected her 100th career victory Friday as Tennessee State split its matches at the Belmont Invitational. The Tigers fell to Nicholls State in three sets before defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff in four.

Nicholls State 3, Tennessee State 0 (27-29, 11-25, 16-25)
TSU dropped a close first set before Nicholls State pulled away for a sweep.

I'Onna Jones led the Tigers with eight kills, while Sagaia Reilly tallied 17 assists and 10 digs. Julia Culpepper added an ace.

The loss dropped the Tigers to 0-4.

Tennessee State 3, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 1 (25-15, 25-17, 24-26, 25-16)
The Tigers responded in the night match, securing their first win of the season and Sutton's milestone.

Aliyah Harris finished with 16 kills on .393 hitting. Carsyn Stansberry added 12 kills and two aces, and Jones recorded 11 kills. Sydni Poston led with 17 digs, while Reilly posted 43 assists and 12 digs. Mikayla Moore chipped in six blocks.

With the score tied at 3, TSU went on a four-point run capped by a Jones kill to take control and later used a five-point stretch to pull away in a 25-15 win.

The Tigers built an early 5-2 lead behind kills from Jones and Harris and held momentum throughout, closing the set 25-17.

UAPB battled back in a back-and-forth frame. Tied at 24, the Lions capitalized on a TSU error to take it 26-24.

Tennessee State answered with its most dominant stretch of the match, using a 6-0 run capped by a Stansberry kill to extend the lead to 24-15 before finishing the set 25-16.

The victory improved the Tigers to 1-4 on the year.

MISSISSIPPI STATE 3, UT MARTIN 0
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Martin volleyball team could not find its offensive rhythm today in a 3-0 setback (25-15, 25-11, 25-15) to Southeastern Conference member Mississippi State in the Blue Raider Bash.

Abby Freund topped the Skyhawks with eight digs today while Carly Mueller rejected a team-best three blocks. Maddy Gladson, Kylie Surratt and Ella McFarland also added two blocks apiece for UT Martin (0-3), who received a team-high eight kills out of Kayla Bryant this afternoon.

The Bulldogs (4-0) scored the first four points of the match before a kill from Bryant got the Skyhawks on the scoreboard. After an assisted block by Mueller and Gladson trimmed UT Martin's deficit to 12-8, Mississippi State went on a 6-0 run on the way to the opening set victory. Bryant (three kills) led the Skyhawk offense while Mueller's three blocks paced three UT Martin players with multi-block efforts in the first set.

A Dylan Sulcer kill shaved the Skyhawk deficit to 5-3 to begin the second set. The Bulldogs scored 13 of the next 15 points. McFarland posted a kill, an assist and a service ace in UT Martin's final four points but Mississippi State was able to take a 2-0 advantage in the match. Four separate Skyhawks claimed kills in the middle set but the Bulldogs were able to hit .500 in 22 swings.

Bryant had a pair of early kills in the third set but Mississippi State took a 9-3 lead. Bryant and Kristin Phillips joined forces for two kills apiece during a four-point span midway through the set but the Bulldogs hit .435 to complete the match. Bryant owned four of UT Martin's seven kills in the final set, hitting .286 in seven attacks.

SIUE 3, INDIANA STATE 1
DEKALB, Ill. - SIUE Volleyball earned its first victory of the 2025 season after defeating Indiana State in four sets (25-17,23-25, 25-21,25-20) at the NIU Tournament.
 
The Cougars improve to 1-3 on the year with the win, while the Sycamores fall to 1-3.
 
SIUE was led by a balanced effort in their offense and defense, controlling three of four sets. The Cougars posted 56 kills to Indiana State's 48 and recorded a match-high eight service aces. AIUE also out-assisted the Sycamores 51-41 and out-blocked them 10-9.  
 
Kyndia Smith led the team with a career high of 19 kills and 40 assists. She was followed by Sophie Robinson with 13 kills, and matched Smith with three total blocks.  
 
Freshman Ally Hughes had her second double-double of the season with 24 assists and 12 digs.

LINDENWOOD 3, DEPAUL 2
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Lindenwood women's volleyball team (4-1, 0-0 OVC) overcame DePaul (2-3, 0-0 Big East) by a score of 3-2 in Springfield on Friday afternoon. Four Lions recorded double digit kills while Lindenwood outblocked the Blue Demons 9-7 in the match.

Lindenwood got out to a strong start with a convincing 25-19 win in the opening set. The Lions led by as many as 12 points in the frame as they limited the Blue Demons to a negative attack percentage.

Ashley Geluck led the way with three kills in the set, while Faith Atkins picked up a kill and two blocks.

Lindenwood held a 11-9 lead in set two but were outscored 16-7 through the remainder of the frame as DePaul evened the match at one set apiece. Shannon Monahan posted five kills in the set.

Set three was tight throughout, with neither team gaining more than a three-point advantage. The Lions would ultimately prevail 25-23 behind a five-kill effort from Ashley Geluck, while Autumn Bax, Faith Atkins, and Shannon Monahan added four kills apiece.

DePaul led for most of the fourth set, hanging on for a slim 25-23 win following a late 3-0 push by Lindenwood. Ashley Geluck kept her big day going five more kills and block in the frame.

The deciding set came down to the wire, with Lindenwood coming out on top 16-14 to secure their fourth win of the season. Autumn Bax posted four kills on a .500 attack percentage in the frame to bring the win home for Lindenwood.

Ashley Geluck had a strong day offensively, going for 17 kills (3.4 KPS) on an efficient .389 hitting percentage. She also added a service ace and a pair of blocks to bring her points total to 19.0.

Shannon Monahan also had a big outing with a season-high 14 kills while adding nine digs defensively.

Meanwhile, Autumn Bax registered double digit kills for the fourth time this season with 11. She added five blocks, including two solo rejections, for a total of 14.5 points.

Faith Atkins also had a strong performance, recording 11 kills and five block assists in her first start of the season.

Meghan Donoughue handed out a season-high 55 assists, averaging 11.0 assists per set. She also added nine digs, three kills, and two blocks to her performance.

Three Lions posted double digit digs, including Dana Grib (18), Alayna Rudebeck (14), and Izzy Herrbold (11).