The Ashland University volleyball team bounced back from a couple losses last week to beat Grand Valley State on Friday (Nov. 15) night at Kates Gymnasium, 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20.
Senior outside hitter Sophi Cudworth recorded her 1,000th career kill in the match as she put down 13 of her 14 kills in the final three frames.
The Eagles (23-6, 12-3 GLIAC) got back on track on Friday by playing a solid defensive game, limiting the Lakers (13-13, 8-7 GLIAC) to a .165 hitting percentage. They were also efficient offensively, matching their season average with a .233 hitting percentage.
Ashland won the first set by rallying from a 14-11 deficit. The Eagles scored four straight points, including two kills by redshirt-junior Brooke Peiffer. The Lakers went back on top and led by two, 22-20, before kills by sophomore Erin Krupar and redshirt-junior Lexi Lombardo tied it at 22.
Lombardo then blocked Abby Graham at the net, but a service error tied it at 23. Lombardo and Peiffer then followed up with kills to give the Eagles the victory.
In Set 2, the Eagles led most of the way and, despite holding a 24-19 lead, finally put away the Lakers at 25-23 on Krupar's kill.
The Eagles nearly pulled off a comeback in Set 3 after trailing by as many as five and taking a 23-22 lead. The Lakers dug in and got a kill, ace and block to win the set and send it to a fourth.
Ashland jumped out to a 3-0 lead in Set 4 on Peiffer's kill and back-to-back blocks. The Eagles never trailed in the final set as they cruised to the win.
Peiffer led the Eagles with 16 kills (.213) and 16 digs while Krupar chipped in 15 kills (.235) and 20 digs. Cudworth had 14 kills (.250) and Lombardo had eight kills (.217).
Sophomore setter Zoey Peck dished out 43 assists to go with seven digs and five kills, while sophomore libero Sophie Dahn finished with 18 digs and eight assists.
Karlie Kucharczyk led the lakers with 12 kills (.152), nine digs and four blocks.
The Eagles will conclude the regular season on Saturday (Nov. 16) at 5 p.m. against Davenport. Prior to the match the Eagles will recognize Cudworth with their Senior Day festivities.
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