WARRIORS SECURE TWO WINS AT BIG DOGS CLASSIC

JOLIET, Ill. - The Warriors (2-5) produced two stout wins during the St. Francis Big Dogs Classic over the Aug. 23 weekend, defeating hosts St. Francis (IL) and Saint Xavier in thrilling 3-2 victories. During the weekend, the Warriors saw several strong performances from players in every position, forcing comebacks in both wins. 

THE RUNDOWN

RCU VS. ST. FRANCIS (IL) - 3-2 FINAL

• A tightly contested first set indicated a high-octane matchup between these two teams, with St. Francis being the victor in the first game. However, the Warriors maintained composure and produced four sets with a higher attacking efficiency than the hosts. Four Warriors - Madelyn Geisenhaver, Chante Hudgins, Mackenzie Kemenah, and Hailee Mancogna - produced double-digit kill games with Geisenhaver leading the way. Defensively, libero Ashley Horne played a phenomenal game, securing 25 digs to keep the Warriors in the match
• The Warriors won the second game 25-21 before dropping the third 25-15. The fourth set came down right to the wire, with the Warriors making an astonishing comeback from down 23-19. Kemenah and Hudgins made major plays at the net, while Horne and Geisenhaver made a diving effort to save a ball sailing out of bounds to keep RCU alive into the fifth. With RCU up 14-13, Kemenah and Mancogna met at the net to earn the game-winning block for the Warriors' first win of the season 

RCU VS. BLUEFIELD - 2-3 FINAL

• Things were smooth sailing for the Warriors in the first two games, but Bluefield stormed back and took the last three games convincingly. Mancogna led the Warriors in kills with 10 during the game, while setters Emma Hock (who contributed ten digs) and Hannah Roddis combined for 26 assists. Hudgins and fellow middle blocker Audrey Soares combined for 11 blocks to add on the defensive front
• The Warriors' first two games were a continuation of the St. Francis matchup, with the team going a scorching .571 on attacks with 12 kills and no errors. The defense shined in the second game for RCU, forcing 11 Bluefield errors. However, Bluefield caught fire in the last three games, going no less than .273 on attacks as a team to make a ferocious three-game run to come back and win 3-2

RCU VS. SAINT XAVIER - 3-2 FINAL 

• The Warriors got one of the most efficient games from a middle blocker in program history out of Hudgins in this win, with the junior going 10-11 on attacks while contributing two solo blocks. Helping Hudgins achieve the feat was setter Mackenzie Keefer, who posted 22 assists and ten digs to help out Geisenhaver and Horne, who combined for 27 digs. Mancogna continued a strong weekend with 11 kills to lead RCU
• The Warriors got out to a fantastic start with two consecutive 25-17 games. In the first game, the Warriors hit a .355 with 13 kills. The Warrior defense shined in the second game, with the back row consistently receiving attacks from Saint Xavier. The Cougars took a close third game before winning the fourth by a wide margin. However, the Warriors were determined not to repeat the Bluefield contest, winning the fifth set 15-7 behind Hudgins and Mancogna at the net

RCU VS. ROCKY MOUNTAIN (MT) - 0-3 FINAL

• The Rocky Mountain attack was persistent against the Warriors, who couldn't seem to avoid errors in this contest. Mancogna, Hudgins, senior Emily Carroll, and sophomore Kourtney Mack contributed 5+ kills in the contest, while Horne produced another strong game defensively, earning 17 digs while assisting ten times. Hudgins continued a great weekend blocking the ball with four solo blocks
• A tight start in the first game would eventually break open in favor of Rocky Mountain to build some separation from the Warriors, who weren't able to recover. RCU kept things closer initially in the second and third games, but an efficient Rocky Mountain attack refused to allow the Warriors to get back in it

UP NEXT

The Warriors host their first home match against conference opponent Lawrence Tech on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Shelley Carroll - RCU Volleyball