VOLLEYBALL WINS FIRST TWO GAMES OF THE SEASON AT SHU TOURNEY

ADRIAN, MI - Warrior volleyball (2-7) secured its first two wins of the season during the Siena Heights Labor Day Tournament, defeating Kentucky Christian and Indiana Northwest on Friday night. The team went 2-2 during the weekend overall, including a close defeat against Roosevelt, 2-3.

FRIDAY

WARRIORS VS. KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN

Rochester saw its first win of the season - and Juliana Gutknecht's first win of her career - during the first game of the tournament, where the Warriors defeated Kentucky Christian 3-1. Rochester saw major contributions from senior Olivia Francis, who recorded a tournament-high 18 kills in the contest.

Francis wasn't the only one with a strong performance, as sophomore Charlotte Warner tabbed a season-high 25 assists, while also leading the team in digs with 12. Junior Audrey Soares also stepped up for the team defensively, blocking three different Knight attacks during the game.

The Warriors would take the first set, and despite losing in the second set by a two-point margin, the team maintained composure to take the third and fourth games to secure the win.

WARRIORS VS. INDIANA NORTHWEST

Rochester continued the momentum into the second game of the tournament, defeating Indiana Northwest 3-1 behind more great play from Francis, Warner, and Soares. Warner continued her outstanding play, matching her assist total from the prior contest while also leading the team in digs with 21.

Soares again recorded three blocks, while freshman Kourtney Mack also earned stops with two assisted blocks of her own. Senior libero Gabby Costello helped out on the back line, recording 19 digs, while freshman Ashley Horne also recorded 15 digs herself. Sophomore Madelyn Geisenhaver contributed on both ends, with eight kills and ten digs.

The narrative in this one played out similarly to the Kentucky Christian matchup, with Rochester taking the first game but losing the second by two points. Rochester regained momentum in the third set, while leaving little doubt in the fourth to secure the win.

Gutknecht had this to say about the team's performance on the day:

"The team showed awesome fight in both games and kept their composure to finish," Gutknecht said. "It truly was a full team effort. Today was a fun day for this program and we are excited to keep it going."

SATURDAY

WARRIORS VS. ROOSEVELT

Rochester would get close to securing a third-straight win during the opening Saturday game, but fell just short against Roosevelt, 3-2. Attacks were harder to come by for the Warriors, but defensively the team stayed strong with five players recording at least nine digs.

Leading the defensive effort was Costello, who led the team in digs with 16. On the front end, senior Darcy Bennin contributed a monster defensive performance, with six total blocks during the contest. Francis and senior Emily Carroll also recorded two assisted blocks each.

Offensively, Rochester played a more balanced attack, with six players recording at least four kills. Leading the way was Mack with seven, while Francis contributed six. Bennin, Soares, Geisenhaver, and Warner each recorded four kills.

Roosevelt would win the first set by a wide margin, but the Warriors would make an emphatic answer in the second set, winning by 11. Rochester took the third set as well in close fashion, but Roosevelt would escape in the fourth and fifth sets to secure the win.

WARRIORS VS. GEORGETOWN (KY)

The final game would be a challenge for the Warriors, as Georgetown would use strong attacking play to take a 3-1 win. However, Rochester continued to showcase its improved defense during the contest.

Bennin would again lead the way on the blocking front with four total, while Soares and Francis trailed close behind with three each. Costello would once again lead the team in digs with 13, while Warner would tally another double-double with 16 assists and 10 digs.

The Warriors went down in the first set by ten but would find momentum in the second set, winning by an eight-point margin. However, Georgetown would adjust and take the next two sets to ensure the victory.

UP NEXT

Rochester will travel to Indiana Tech on Monday, Sept. 4 for its first WHAC matchup of the season.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Shelley Carroll - RU Volleyball