Ashland University's volleyball team took its recent success within the Great Midwest Athletic Conference outside of league play on Friday (Oct. 14), earning 3-0 wins against both Indianapolis (25-22, 25-23, 25-20) and Michigan Tech (25-19, 25-21, 25-14) on the first day of the Midwest Region Crossover.
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The Eagles, receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division II coaches poll and the only team in the region without a loss in conference play, improves to 18-5 thanks to their 15
th consecutive victory – not only one of the best currently in NCAA Division II, but the program's longest since at least 1987.
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During the win streak, Ashland has lost just four sets, and the Eagles haven't lost a set in five October matches to date.
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THE WRAP-UP – VS. INDY
- After winning the first two sets, the Eagles found themselves trailing the Greyhounds 18-12 in set No. 2. After that, however, a 13-2 run finished off the AU sweep.
- Indianapolis hit just .156, and the Eagle defensive effort was paced by junior libero Katie Thompson (17 digs), senior defensive specialist Stephanie Smith (13 digs), sophomore outside hitter Makenna Belcher (12 digs), fifth-year outside hitter Erin Krupar (one solo block, five block assists) and middle blockers Anna Krikke (senior) and Abby Stanford (freshman), who had each had five of AU's 20 block assists.
- Offensively, fifth-year setter Zoey Peck racked up 41 assists, Krupar had 14 kills and Krikke added 10 kills.
- The match against Indy featured 32 tie scores and 12 lead changes.
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THE WRAP-UP – VS. TECH
- Again, the Eagle defense was strong, keeping the Huskies to a hitting percentage of .093. Thompson finished with 18 digs, and Krupar 10.
- Belcher led the AU offense with 14 kills, and Krupar added 12, while Peck collected 39 assists.
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UP NEXT
Ashland's third and final match at the Crossover on Saturday (Oct. 15) at 3 p.m. will be the first-place match against Quincy (18-1)..
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