HAMMOND, Ind. - The William Jewell volleyball team moved to 8-12 on the season with two wins over Malone University and Saginaw Valley State on Friday to open the Midwest Region Crossover. The Crossover is the largest NCAA volleyball tournament in the nation, featuring 38 teams from nine states and representing the three conferences in the Midwest Region.
GAME ONE | Jewell 3, Malone 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Cardinals started slow, falling into an early 7-2 hole but quickly rallied with a 12-3 run to go on top 14-10. Two kills from Anna Godfredsen late in the set gave Jewell the opener, 25-21.
- Tied at five early in set two, the Cards used a 10-4 run, aided by six errors from the Patriots. Another late run, scoring six of seven points, after three straight kills from Bella LaPorta, pushed the Jewell lead to 10. Back-to-back points from Alex Dvorak and Katy Garrison finished things off, 25-15.
- With the Cardinals leading by three midway through set three, Malone made a run, scoring five straight to take a lead. However, Jewell came right back with nine points behind Hannah Cope's serve, including three aces. Dvorak capped the match with a kill, 25-18.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- LaPorta led the staff with a double-double of 14 kills and 13 digs while Dvorak also added 11 kills.
- Alexis Nunn picked up 11 digs with Samantha Thompson handing out 20 assists and Cope posting three aces.
GAME TWO | Jewell 3, Saginaw Valley 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Jewell broke out to an early 19-11 lead in the opener of match two, after a service ace from Garrison. Saginaw Valley made it interesting down the stretch, pulling within three but a kill from LaPorta sealed things, 25-22.
- A 9-5 spurt, pushed the Cardinals to an 18-7 advantage. SVSU pulled with six points but three straight points from Jewell wrapped up the set, 25-16.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- LaPorta posted another double-double with 15 kills and 20 digs to go along with two aces.
- Thompson finished with 21 assists while Jesa Wallace added 15.
- Dvorak also finished in double figures with 11 kills.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals return to action on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. to take on Thomas More University.