The Ashland University volleyball team stormed back from a 22-20 deficit in the third set and rolled in the fourth to topple visiting Truman State, 25-16, 20-25, 25-22, 25-17, in the Friday finale of the Quality Inn Ashland University Tournament at Kates Gymnasium.
Despite leading for much of the third set, the Eagles fell behind by two, 22-20. Ashland then got a double block by Reanne Neal and Shelby Woycik before Kayla Pfeiffer's kill tied the frame at 22. Woycik's kill on the next point forced a timeout by the Bulldogs. Neal followed with a kill and Woycik closed the effort with a point to give the Eagles the 25-22 win.
Ashland (2-0) carried that momentum into Set 4 by scoring six straight points to take a 6-1 lead. The Eagles would not relinquish their grip on the advantage, going up by as many as 14 points late. AU hit .484 in the closing set.
Sophi Cudworth paced the Eagles with 16 kills and a .375 hitting percentage. Woycik finished with 13 kills (.227) and nine digs. Michaela Ping added eight kills (.300) and Melanie Aguayo finished with a team-high 19 digs.
The Eagles hit .295 in the match, while holding the Bulldogs (0-2) to a .166 mark. Jocelynn Livingston led the visitors with 14 kills (.233) and Sam Yancy added a double-double with 12 kills and 15 digs.
The Eagles will return to action on Saturday (Sept. 2) when they take on Lake Erie (2 p.m.) and Pitt-Johnstown (7 p.m.) at Kates Gymnasium.
AU
VB/BB