The Ashland University volleyball team turned in a complete effort in winning its eighth straight match and sweeping host Grand Valley State, 25-18, 29-27, 25-21, on Saturday (Sept. 29) afternoon in Allendale, Mich.
The Eagles (13-2, 5-0 GLIAC) held the hosts to just .130 hitting for the match and were efficient themselves, hitting .269 over the three sets. AU has hit at least .250 in 10 of its 15 matches this season.
The Eagles cruised to the Set 1 win by finishing on a 10-5 run, started with a kill by sophomore setter Zoey Peck.
Ashland trailed in Set 2 by as many as five points, 12-7, and the Eagles were still behind at 16-12 before scoring six straight points to take an 18-16 lead with sophomore Erin Krupar serving. Redshirt-junior Brooke Peiffer recorded three kills in that stretch.
The Lakers (5-8, 1-4 GLIAC) won sideouts four straight times as the Eagles served for the set before Peiffer's kill gave the Eagles a 28-27 lead. GVSU committed an attack error on the next point to give the Eagles a commanding two-set lead.
Set 3 was close throughout, but a 3-0 run gave the Eagles a 19-16 lead and they never relinquished it after that. Ashland hit .400 in theset.
Peiffer led the Eagles with 17 kills (.353) to go with nine digs. She had 37 kills in eight sets on the weekend. Krupar added 13 kills (.231) and six digs.
Peck managed 36 assists, eight digs and four kills, while junior libero McKinley Smith racked up an impressive 23 digs.
Emma Clines led the Lakers with 11 kills and Rachel Jacquay handed out 21 assists.
The Eagles will look to continue their winning streak next Friday (Oct. 5) when they welcome Lake Superior State to Kates Gymnasium. First serve goes up at 7 p.m.
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