CHICAGO, Illinois - The Siena Heights Women’s Volleyball Team travelled to Chicago to play in the St. Xavier Tournament on Friday. The Saints came away with a split, dropping a five set marathon to Mount Mercy (Iowa), before defeating Judson (Illinois) in four sets to earn a split on the day.
In the first game, the Saints lost the opening set 15-25 before battling back to take the second set 25-23. The third set was won by the Mustangs, 21-25, before the Saints fought back yet again to force set five, 25-23. However, in the fifth set, a 43.8% attacking percentage, compared to only 10.5% by the Saints led to the final set being won by a score of 15-8. Siena Heights committed 13 service errors as well which didn’t help their cause.
Lindsey Adams (Bronson, Mich./Coldwater) led the Saints with 19 kills, followed by Halie Baker (Canton, Mich./Westland John Glenn) with 14 kills and McKenzie Wright (Tecumseh, Mich./Tecumseh) with 10 kills. Carly Tillotson (Adrian, Mich./Tecumseh) had 41 assists in the match. Nicole Morgan (Wixom, Mich./Walled Lake Western) had 14 digs followed by Baker’s 13 to lead the Saints defense.
In the nightcap, the Saints took on the Eagles from Judson. What started out as a mini-marathon, a 29-27 first set win for the Saints followed by a 20-25 loss in the second set, ended up with a solid 25-20 third set win and a 25-14 fourth set win as the Saints cruised to victory in the final set. The Saints used a 25% attack success rate in the third set and a 38.5% attack success rate in the fourth set.
Baker once again was a key piece for the Saints, this time ending the match with 22 kills. Adams chipped in 15 kills while Lauren Baker (Westland, Mich./Westland John Glenn) notched 27 assists and Tillotson added 10 assists. Morgan added another 18 digs, followed by Haley Mercy (Clinton, Mich./Clinton) with 14 and Baker with 10. The Saints added 13 blocks in the match.
With the split, the Saints move to 3-1 on the young season and will return to action on Saturday when they face Roosevelt (Illinois) and St. Francis (Illinois) at the St. Xavier Tournament.