HOUGHTON, MI – On day two of the Keweenaw Classic, the University of Mary volleyball team found themselves in two highly competitive matches. The Marauders got the day started against University of Wisconsin – Parkside. The Marauders and Rangers battled in a five set thriller with the Rangers taking the fifth set and the match. UMary then battled a very talented Michigan Tech team who received votes in the NCAA DII preseason rankings. The Marauders were able to keep things close in all three sets but Michigan Tech prevailed sweeping UMary in three sets. Morgan Schnabel and Anna Nietfeld continued to dominate and overpower opponents. The duo combined for an impressive 58 kills on the day.
The Marauders fall to 0-3 on the season with the two hard fought losses today. UW-Parkside improves to 1-0 and Michigan Tech improves to 2-0.
UMary 2 UW-Parkside 3
The Marauders wasted no time getting started against the Rangers, jumping out to a two set lead by taking set one and two in controlling fashion. Parkside was able to win set three by the narrowest of margins to put momentum on their side. They would go on to win the next two sets to beat the Marauders in five. Despite the loss, UMary performed extremely well, recording more kills, assists, and digs than their opponent. The Marauders were also able to record a higher hitting percentage than the Rangers by hitting .238 as a team. UMary started hot by hitting .407 as a team in the first set.
PIVOT POINT
The Marauders controlled sets one and two and jumped out to an early 13-9 lead in set three. Both teams battled back and forth with the set tied 19-19 near the end. The Rangers then went on a 4-0 run to take the lead and they didn't look back from there. With momentum on their side they won three straight sets to claim the match.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Morgan Schnabel went off for a career high of 28 kills
Anna Nietfeld recorded an impressive 16 kills and 15 digs
Sydney Murphy topped her performance yesterday by assisting 52 times and recording 13 digs
Caitlin Schneeweis had a game high of 18 digs to go along with her 8 kills and two aces
Hannah Hanson posted an astounding five blocks
Natalia Cruz recorded 17 digs and two aces
STAT OF THE GAME
Morgan Schnabel has a thing for posting career highs in season opening tournaments. Last season she recorded her previous career high with 23 kills. Today, she smashed that career high by recording 28 in the game against UWP.
SCOREBOARD
Set one: UMary 25-15
Set two: UMary 25-21
Set three: Parkside 25-23
Set four: Parkside 25-18
Set five: Parkside 15-12
UMary 0 Michigan Tech 3
The Marauders had their hands full with the tournament hosts but that did not stop them from battling hard. Michigan Tech was ranked just outside of the top 25 in the preseason poll and showed why they are a top tier team, sweeping the Marauders in three sets. UMary did not go down without a fight, holding a 22-21 lead late in the first set. MTU was able to go on a 4-1 run to take the first set. The Marauders were able to take an early lead in set two but the Huskies were able to storm back and take the set. UMary held the advantage in aces during the game, recording a total of four.
PIVOT POINT
The Marauders proved that they were able to strike at any second and take a set from the Huskies by competing in the first two sets of the match. MTU put their foot on the gas in set three, taking the set to claim the match.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Sydney Murphy recorded 11 digs and a game high of 28 assists
Caitlin Schneeweis led the Marauders with 14 digs
Natalia Cruz tied for a game high with two aces
Julianna Hughes recorded nine kills with a hitting percentage of .421
Anna Nietfeld posted nine kills
STAT OF THE GAME
Sydney Murphy recorded double digit assists and digs for the third game in a row with her 28 assist and 11 digs performance against MTU. Murphy is averaging 41 assists and 13 assists early on in the season.
SCOREBOARD
Set one: Michigan Tech 25-23
Set two: Michigan Tech 25-19
Set three: Michigan Tech: 25-14
The Marauders will close out the Keweenaw Classic tomorrow, September 7 at 8 AM CST. UMary will battle the Lake Superior State Lakers.
#Marauders#
