LINK – ASHLAND UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL PAGE
THE TURNING POINT: Ashland lost the first two sets in the first match of the day against undefeated North Alabama before winning the next two and forcing a fifth and deciding set.
STAT OF THE DAY: The Eagles had just three sets of the nine played on Saturday with a hitting percentage of at least .200.
Closing out the University of Indianapolis Tournament on Saturday (Sept. 10), Ashland University's volleyball team lost to both North Alabama, 3-2, and nationally-ranked Tampa, 3-1, to end the first two weeks of 2016 play at 5-3.
In the match against undefeated North Alabama, the Eagles rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force a deciding fifth set before falling 25-16, 25-17, 24-26, 18-25, 15-13. Senior outside hitter Alli Cudworth had 22 kills and 10 digs for a double-double, while adding three service aces and four block assists. Senior outside hitter Casey Clark added 12 kills, a team-high 17 digs and five block assists, sophomore outside/right-side hitter Jordan Mackay posted 10 kills and three block assists and sophomore middle blocker Reanne Neal added eight kills and eight block assists.
Sophomore setter Kayla Pfeiffer had 51 assists.
The match against No. 16 Tampa saw the Eagles lose, 25-18, 23-25, 25-18, 25-19. Cudworth had nine kills and 11 digs, Clark added seven kills and a team-high 19 digs and Pfeiffer posted 29 assists.
UP NEXT: The 2016 home opener on Tuesday (Sept. 13) at 7 p.m. against Malone in a non-conference match.
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