BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Lawrence Technological University women's volleyball team wrapped up play at the Vette City Classic on Saturday, earning a split in their final two matches. The Blue Devils dropped a straight-set morning decision to the University of Pikeville (Ky.) before bouncing back in dominant fashion with a sweep of Kentucky Christian University in the afternoon.
Pikeville 3, Lawrence Tech 0 Lawrence Tech opened Saturday's action with a hard-fought battle against Pikeville, ultimately falling 26-24, 25-19, 25-12.
The Blue Devils pushed the Bears to the brink in a tight opening set, trading the lead five times and tying the score 10 different times. LTU held a set point at 24-23 after a Pikeville attack error, but the Bears rallied with three straight points to steal the opener 26-24. Pikeville maintained the momentum in the second set, using a mid-set run to stay ahead, before taking control early in the third set to complete the sweep.
Maria Trevino Nunez led the Blue Devils offensively with 11 kills, while Ella Aberlich added seven kills and Catelyn Chapin finished with four. Dru Temple directed the attack with 27 assists. Defensively, Emily Hagelthorn anchored the back row with a match-high 21 digs, while Payton Malin recorded 10 digs and a service ace.
Lawrence Tech 3, Kentucky Christian 0 LTU returned to the court in the afternoon and delivered an emphatic response, sweeping Kentucky Christian 25-21, 25-14, 25-16.
The Blue Devils used relentless pressure at the net and from the service line to command the match, tallying 12 service aces and 9.0 total blocks while holding the Knights to a -.027 hitting percentage.
After battling through a close opening set featuring five ties and two lead changes, LTU took control late behind a pair of service aces from Hagelthorn to seal the 25-21 win. The Blue Devils dominated the second set early, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and extending it to 14-5 following a block by Chapin and Sophia Thornton. Isabella Meyer closed out the second set 25-14 with a service ace and a set-point assist to Izzie Miller.
LTU kept its foot on the gas in the third frame. Up 10-9, the Blue Devils went on a game-altering 10-0 run behind the serve of Audrey Cramer—highlighted by kills from Maya Schmidt and Miller—to build a double-digit cushion before sealing the 25-16 victory.
Miller paced the attack with eight kills and 10 digs, while Meyer posted six kills, 14 digs, and three aces. Schmidt added four kills, while Chapin turned in four kills and five blocks. Thornton matched Chapin at the net with five blocks (three solo). Jadeyn Bisdorf and Aberlich shared setting duties, dishing out 10 and 12 assists, respectively, while Hagelthorn added four aces and 10 digs.
With Saturday's split, Lawrence Tech moves to 5-3 overall on the season.
