August 28, 2009

RedStorm volleyball loses close encounter with IU East

Rio Grande---The University of Rio Grande RedStorm dropped a tough match to visiting Indiana University-East on Friday night at the Newt Oliver Arena, losing in three games, 17-25, 24-26 and 23-25. 

Rio Grande (2-1) played well at times but made some crucial mistakes at inopportune times and it really came back to haunt them.

Rio Grande tried to seize control of the match in the second game, in jumping out to a 10-4 lead, but the RedStorm could not make the lead stand up as IUE rallied for the game two win, 26-24.

In game three, Rio rallied from a 20-14 deficit to cut the margin to one point at 24-23, but fell short in the deciding game, 25-23.

Freshman middle hitter Erin Sherman (South Webster, OH) led the RedStorm with nine kills. She added three solo blocks and one block assist. Junior middle hitter Kati Moore (Lancaster, OH) added seven kills and freshman outside hitter Whitney Smith (Albany, OH) added six. Smith was also 9-for-9 serving.

Junior libero Jacquie Whittle (Chillicothe, OH) led the RedStorm defense with 17 digs. She was also a perfect 8-for-8 serving with one ace. Sophomore defensive specialist Kristen Cassady (Logan, OH) also registered double figures in digs with 11.

Junior setter Ashley Bloom (Columbus, OH) handed 14 assists while her running mate at setter, freshman Micah Motes (Chillicothe, OH), was on the verge of double figures with nine assists. 

Indiana University-East (5-0) is off to a tremendous start on the season as they remain unbeaten with the win. The Red Wolves were led by the duo of Brandie Sanders and Kaitlyn Ervin with nine kills each. Sanders also paced the defensive effort with 19 digs while Madison Qualkenbush notched 15 digs on the night.

Lauren Crump handed a match-high 32 assists and Jessica White delivered three aces.

"One on one with each girl across the net, I thought we were completely even with them," said Rio Grande head coach Billina Donaldson. "The only thing we did, in the very beginning was, we made a lot of mistakes that gave them confidence and we lost confidence."

"In the second game we jumped out on top early and got a pretty nice lead and I felt like we got that confidence back," Donaldson added. "But the difference was they stayed calm and chipped away and got back in it."

The two teams will play again at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning at the Newt Oliver Arena as a part of a tri-match.  "The bad thing is we've got to play them tomorrow morning, the good thing is we get to play them tomorrow morning," Donaldson said. "We're looking forward to playing them again and hopefully it's a different story." 

IUE will play Central State at 12 Noon and Rio will face Central State at 2 p.m.