VOLLEYBALL FALLS TO HUNTINGTON (IN) AND INDIANA EAST IN FINAL GAMES OF COUGAR CLASSIC

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio—The Warriors (0-3) weren't able to pick up a win in their final two games of their road trip at Mount Vernon Nazarene, falling to Huntington (IN) (2-1) and #RV Indiana-East (3-1) in three games apiece. In both matchups, RCU put up strong fights in the second and third games, with multiple highlight plays. 

THE RUNDOWN

RCU VS. HUNTINGTON (IN) - 0-3 FINAL

• RCU's first set with Huntington was all about the opponents, with the Foresters starting the game on an 8-0 run. Junior Chante Hudgins helped break the ice for the Warriors with a kill assisted by Madelyn Geisenhaver. From there, the Foresters maintained a strong presence at the net and took the first game 25-8
• The second game significantly improved for the Warriors, with Hudgins starting things with an emphatic block. Following a brief run from the Foresters, senior outside hitter Emily Carroll nailed one of her seven kills off a set by sophomore Hannah Roddis. RCU's setters - Roddis and Mackenzie Keefer - continued to put the ball in the right spots for the Warrior attackers, with Keefer back-setting junior Madelyn Geisenhaver for a well-placed line shot. Carroll and sophomore Kourtney Mack helped bring the Warriors in fighting distance in the set's final points, logging three consecutive kills. The Foresters were able to recover just in time to earn the second set, however, winning 25-21
• RCU continued to fight in the third game, with freshman middle Alivia Everitt getting involved with well-placed attacks. At the 4-6 mark, Roddis and Mancogna connected down the middle for a powerful hit to bring the Warriors within one. The Foresters built separation with a 6-0 run, but Carroll continued her strong day on the outside with multiple kills. At the set's 36th rally, the Warriors embarked on a 3-0 run behind Carroll and Hudgins to close the gap. The Foresters responded with a 3-0 run of their own to ice the match at 25-19

RCU VS. #RV INDIANA-EAST - 0-3 FINAL

• Following a 1-7 start for the Red Wolves, the Warriors got a significant momentum boost from Geisenhaver and senior Audrey Soares with a double block. The Warriors and Red Wolves traded points from then on, with Carroll continuing her big day with a few strong attacks. Mack also made her presence known with several well-placed roll shots to help the Warriors offensively. Indiana-East kept tacking on points, taking the first game 25-13
• Fans were in for a thrilling second game, with Everitt and Mancogna making a statement early to keep the Warriors neck-and-neck. Geisenhaver and junior DS Alanna Gray connected for a kill to respond to a brief Red Wolves run, and setter Emma Hock began a strong performance with multiple accurate sets to the outside. Indiana-East brought things back to a tie at 19-19, with both teams making diving hustle plays to keep points alive. Hudgins used her reach for a critical block on a hit from the ten-foot line by the Red Wolves to keep things knotted up at 23-23. The Red Wolves took the game from there, winning 25-23
• RCU got out to a hot start in the third installment, with Hudgins and Geisenhaver getting going early. Mancogna earned a kill shortly after off a great pass from libero Ashley Horne to keep the Warriors in the lead. The Geisenhaver-Hudgins duo continued to make an impact, with both players leaping for a double block at the game's 25th point. A small lead for the Warriors would grow thanks to Carroll and Hock, but the Red Wolves stormed back to make the third game a fight. Key defensive plays for the Red Wolves sealed the match in the third game, 25-22

STAT OF THE DAY

Hock's ten assists in the day's second game was her first double-digit assist game in her collegiate career. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors will resume action next week at the St. Francis Big Dogs' Classic, taking on hosts St. Francis (IL) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications