Ashland University's volleyball team has done a complete 180 from the start of the 2014 season, beginning the 2015 campaign at 4-0 after two more wins on Saturday (Sept. 5) at Clarion University's Tony Banner Memorial.
On Saturday morning, the Eagles defeated Indianapolis, 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 13-25, 25-20). AU's two junior outside hitters – Alli Cudworth (19 kills, 13 digs) and Casey Clark (13 kills, 15 digs) – each finished the match with double-doubles. Senior middle blocker Samantha Zuber added 10 kills and seven block assists, sophomore defensive specialist Melanie Aguayo had 13 digs and junior setter Mallory Slyder earned 45 assists.
Ashland completed the weekend sweep on Saturday afternoon with a 3-1 (29-27, 25-22, 22-25, 25-14) win against Gannon. Cudworth had 22 kills to pace the AU offense, and junior middle blocker/right-side hitter Rylee Scott added 11 kills. Aguayo (12), Clark (11) and Slyder (10) all had double-digit digs, and Slyder added 41 assists.
Following the tournament, Cudworth was named its Most Valuable Player, and Zuber earned a spot on the all-tournament team.
In 2014, the Eagles began 0-6. This year's 4-0 start is the program's best since 2006 (5-0).
The Eagles will return to action on Friday (Sept. 11) and Saturday (Sept. 12) for four matches at the University of Indianapolis Tournament.
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