To begin the 2024 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament, Ashland University's volleyball team lost 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 24-19) to Walsh on Tuesday (Nov. 19) night at the Sherrill Hudson Court at Kates Gymnasium.
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The Eagles' season concludes at 19-11, and the Cavaliers move on to the tournament Final Four at 18-12.
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After losing the first set and going down 15-12 in the second set, the Eagles rallied for four straight points to go up 16-15. The margin continued to be razor thin as the second set went along, but the Cavaliers scored the last three points to go up 2-0.
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Down 13-9 in the third set, a long out-of-system rally got Ashland within three points. Then, an even longer out-of-system point on the next serve got the Eagles to within two points. AU, however, wasn't able to gain the lead throughout the rest of the match.
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…AND THE REST OF THE STORY
- The Eagles' two freshman outside hitters led their offense – Samantha Young (13 kills, .281 hitting percentage) and Sara Krizsa (12 kills, .235 percentage).
- Sophomore setter Kylee Urban recorded 34 assists and nine digs, while sophomore libero Abbey Queen, sixth in the country with 600 digs entering the night, finished with 24 digs for a school-record 624 on the year.
- Junior defensive specialist Macy McNamara (12) and Young (11) also finished with double-digit digs.
- Ashland defeated Walsh in both regular-season matches en route to a Great Midwest East Division title.
- Tuesday night's match featured 22 tie scores and six lead changes.
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