BOX SCORE (PDF)
MOREHEAD, Ky. – Career days abound, Morehead State volleyball outlasted Bradley in a five-set spectacular at Wetherby Gym to close day one of the Eagle Challenge Friday. The Eagles captured the thriller 25-17, 25-23, 23-25, 21-25, and 15-8.
Morehead State captured the first two sets, notching 29 of the team's 65 kills and hitting .244 across the two sets. Sophomore outside hitters
Olivia Lohmeier and
Lauren Rokey each slammed home seven kills apiece, while as a team, the Eagles registered six total blocks across the first two frames.
"This was a battle," said head coach
Jaime Gordon. "I thought we were really fortunate to squeeze out the second set and get a 2-0 lead. Bradley did an excellent job of making some adjustments, especially in the third set, I thought we fought back and had a couple of opportunities to put it away."
Bradley was able to pull even in the third and fourth sets, with outside hitter Erica Haslag registering 15 of her 23 kills in the two sets.
Morehead State squashed the Bradley rally in the fifth set by registering 12 kills in the match's final frame. Five Eagles recorded a termination in the final set, led by Lohmeier's four. Freshman middle blocker
Mia Swearingen recorded a pair of kills, but also picked up a point for her team with a crucial solo block to spark a 5-1 Morehead State run to end the game.
"I really think that the team has worked hard on becoming physically prepared for matches like this," added Gordon. "To think that was our eighth set of the day and for us to really turn it up a notch and collect 12 kills, it shows the team's out there earning their way."
Lohmeier tied a career-high with 17 terminations on the evening, hitting .304 for the match. Redshirt sophomore setter
Chandler Clark also set a career-best, dishing out 56 of the Eagles' 62 assists as the team's primary setter. Clark registered 13 digs, giving Clark her first double-double of the season.
At the net, the Eagles turned away 15 total shots, with five terminations of the solo variety. Redshirt senior
Jessie Wachtman finshed with seven total blocks, while Lohmeier added another five to pace the club.
In addition to Clark's 13 digs, redshirt freshman
Taylor Hodges and true freshman
Olivia Montelisciani and
Allison Whitten each notched double-digit dig totals. As the libero, Whitten dug out a team-high 26 balls.
Morehead State concludes the Eagle Challenge at 2 p.m. ET Saturday, hosting Hampton.
