Volleyball Sweeps Dragons To Finish Undefeated Homestand

That 1-7 start is almost a distant memory.
 
Ashland University's volleyball team played host to its fifth consecutive Great Midwest Athletic Conference match on Tuesday (Sept. 28) night, and the Eagles finished that homestand at 5-0 following a 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-17) victory over Tiffin.
 
The Eagles are 6-7 overall and continue to pace the Great Midwest South Division at 5-0, while the Dragons are 5-10, 3-2.
 
"Tuesday matches are tough," said Ashland head coach Kevin Foeman. "The girls came out focused and we did what we needed to do."
 
Said senior middle hitter Lexi Lombardo, who finished with five kills and three block assists on Tuesday night, "It sets us up for success. Being on the road for as long we're about to be, it's giving us that confidence, confidence in each other first and foremost."
 
All five of AU's conference victories have come by either 3-0 or 3-1 decisions.
 
WHAT HAPPENED

• A complete team effort saw several highlights. Senior outside hitter Erin Krupar paced the offense with 15 kills, senior setter Zoey Peck had 30 assists, Peck and sophomore libero Katie Thompson each had a team-high 16 digs, and junior defensive specialist Stephanie Smith was right behind with 15.
• In addition to the assists and digs, Peck also chipped in with two kills and three block assists. When asked if there is anything Peck can't do, Foeman responded with a definitive "no. She's a perfect setter."
• The Eagle defense racked up 70 digs and 16 block assists in keeping the Dragons' hitting percentage to -.024. Junior middle blocker Anna Krikke had five block assists to pace AU.

 
UP NEXT
Ashland will begin a lengthy stretch of 11 matches away from home on Friday (Oct. 1) at 8 p.m. at Kentucky Wesleyan (2-11, 0-5).
 
"What we are now is the result of everything that's happened," Foeman said. "We're stronger, we're a lot more focused. We're tested on the road. The road matches, we're looking forward to it."
 
Added Lombardo, "We've got something to prove, and we're going to go out there and prove it."