August 29, 2009

RedStorm split at Tri-Match

Rio Grande---The University of Rio Grande RedStorm volleyball squad split two games on Saturday at a tri-match inside the Newt Oliver Arena. Rio lost a hard-fought, five-game, match to Indiana University-East in the opener, 17-25, 25-20, 24-26, 25-22 and 14-16. Rio rebounded with a straight set victory over Central State in the afternoon finale, 25-14, 25-7 and 25-9. 

Rio Grande (3-2) came out of the gate sluggish in the opener, but responded with a nice win in game two to even the match. Game three turned out to be the critical turning point in the match and the RedStorm will look back at that game and realize the opportunity they let slip through their hands.

Rio held a 12-2 advantage, but could not close the deal. Rio also missed a chance in the fifth and deciding game, leading 14-11, only to see IUE (7-0) rip off five unanswered points to take the match.

Freshman middle hitter Erin Sherman (South Webster, OH) led the RedStorm with 21 kills. She also had five solo blocks and one block assist. Fellow freshman Whitney Smith (Albany, OH) added 12 kills, 13 digs, seven solo blocks and one block assist. Junior middle blocker Rachel Walker (Ironton, OH) collected eight kills.

Junior libero Jacquie Whittle (Chillicothe, OH) paced the defense of Rio Grande with 30 digs and sophomore defensive specialist Kristen Cassady (Logan, OH) added 13 digs. Whittle also tallied three serve aces.

Junior setter Ashley Bloom (Columbus, OH) dished out 25 assists and recorded 10 digs. Freshman Micah Motes (Chillicothe, OH) also posted double figures in assists with 13.

Brianna Strete led the way for IUE with 15 kills. Brandie Sanders was tops defensively with 17 digs and Lauren Crump handed out a, match-high, 47 assists. 

"The first game, we did not play well, again," said Rio Grande head coach Billina Donaldson. "We made a lot of mistakes and they took game one. Game two, we came out and won and we pretty much controlled the entire game."

"Game three, we controlled much of the game and then we made a couple of mistakes and we lost game three and should have won it," Donaldson added. "We should have won in four games; it should have never gone to five games."

IUE made quick work of Central State (0-2) in the second match, winning in three games, 25-4, 25-11 and 25-9.

Rio played well against Central State and never allowed the Marauders to get any confidence in sweeping the match.

Sherman again led the RedStorm attack with nine kills. Smith added seven kills. Smith also led the defensive effort with seven digs and recorded five serve aces. Freshman defensive specialist Kaci Shoemaker (Rio Grande, OH) added six digs and delivered four serve aces.

Bloom distributed 13 assists and also led the RedStorm with eight serve aces. 

"I was a little afraid that we would come out and play down against a team that wasn't as high a level as the first game today," Donaldson said. "But, we did a lot of good things and practiced a lot of our quick stuff and our passers did a really good job and our setters did a good job."

Rio Grande will play away from home for the first time on Thursday, September 3, at Mountain State. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m.