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MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Morehead State volleyball team suffered 3-0 losses to Northern Illinois and Louisville on Friday in the Comfort Inn and Suites Invitational at Wetherby Gym. Set scores against NIU were 25-16, 25-14, 25-16, while set scores versus Louisville were 25-17, 25-13 and 25-16.
"We aren't overly concerned about results right now," Head Coach Jaime Gordon said. "Matches in November are much more critical than what we do in September. I was not pleased with the way we played against Northern Illinois, but was pleased with how we competed against Louisville."
The Ohio Valley Conference Eagles slip to 0-8 overall. The Mid-American Conference Huskies move to 5-4 with a Friday split, while the Atlantic Coast Conference Cardinals improve to 5-3 with two victories. The tournament's fourth team, No. 15 Arizona State, is now 7-1 on the year.
Morehead State's second non-conference tournament at Wetherby Gym wraps up on Saturday with two more matches. Northern Illinois and Louisville square off at 2 p.m. ET before the Eagles face Arizona State at 5 p.m. The MSU-ASU match will be shown live on the OVC Digital Network.
"This is an outstanding field, but we knew that coming in," Gordon said. "Northern Illinois, Louisville and Arizona State all have a legitimate shot at being in the NCAA Tournament this year. Today's results are disappointing, but we know the tough competition will help us in the long run."
Northern Illinois recorded a .268 attack percentage in the tournament's opening match, including a .364 mark in the second set. The Huskies registered 10 aces and 39 digs. Morehead State was limited to .108 offensively. The Eagles collected four blocks, five aces and 32 digs.
Senior outside hitter Mackenzie Roddy paced NIU with a match-high nine kills in the 10 a.m. affair, while freshman libero Anna Brerton added a match-best 12 digs. Sophomore libero Hope Rillema led MSU with nine digs, while senior right-side hitter Alex Fitzmorris posted five kills.
Louisville blasted 46 kills, with just eight errors, en route to a .418 attack percent in the nightcap. The Cardinals also posted 15 block assists and one solo stop on their way to an 8.5-to-2 advantage in team blocks. Morehead State was limited to an .074 hitting clip and just 34 winners.
Louisville sophomore outside hitter Janelle Jenkins led all players with 10 kills, while freshman middle blocker Tess Clark tallied nine smackdowns and a match-best seven blocks. Junior defensive specialist Roxanne McVey notched 10 digs for the Cardinals, as did Rillema.
Morehead State's two matches combined for just nine ties and two lead changes. More than 1,000 fans watched the Eagles play on Friday. The morning contest included 100-plus elementary school students, while a season-best 739 spectators were on hand for the evening tilt.
"Our crowds were excellent in both matches, and we hope that continues during OVC play," Gordon added. "We really appreciate all of the Eagle fans who joined us today. We are clearly falling short in terms of wins and losses, but our young ladies are working hard and deserve the support."
Angela McGuire and Aryn Bohannon are scheduled to have the call of Saturday's webcast. McGuire is a former college volleyball player and coach, while Bohannon played for the Eagles from 2009-13.
