WARRIORS FALL IN HOME DEBUT AGAINST LAWRENCE TECH 3-0

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - The Warriors (2-6, 0-1) weren't able to overcome a solid attacking effort from the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils (3-4, 1-0) on Wednesday night in Garth Pleasant Arena, falling 3-0. The efficiency numbers favored the visitors, who found consistency on outside hits throughout the night. Sophomore Kourtney Mack led the Warriors with seven kills on 12 attempts, while sophomore Ashley Horne and junior Madelyn Geisenhaver combined for 29 digs. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST GAME - 18-25 LTU

• The teams traded errors to start the game, but Mack got things going for the Warriors with two consecutive kills to keep things knotted up. At the game's 21st rally, the Warriors embarked on a 4-0 run that featured two kills from junior Hailee Mancogna
• The Blue Devils answered with a 6-0 run to take a four-point lead - a run that was halted by a double-block from Mancogna and junior Chante Hudgins. The Warriors kept things close until the final few points, where errors allowed the Blue Devils to get to 25 before RCU could find a response

SECOND GAME - 18-25 LTU

• Mancogna and Hudgins connected again for another double-block early into the second game, followed by a kill from Geisenhaver to spark a 3-0 run from the Warriors. Lawrence Tech responded with their own 3-0 run to recapture the lead
• Mancogna and Mack tacked on kills to keep RCU close, but the Blue Devils went on another big run thanks to three consecutive kills from outside hitter Riley O'Connell. Hudgins earned two consecutive points by way of a kill and a block to give the Warriors a chance, but a 6-2 run by the team from Southfield ended the second game before it could get any closer

THIRD GAME - 21-25 LTU

• RCU was down early, with LTU going up 5-1 to begin the third game. Three straight errors from LTU helped the Warriors get back into it, but two consecutive blocks from the Blue Devils kept the hosts at distance. Outside hitter Mackenzie Kemenah and Geisenhaver tacked on kills, and RCU forced a few errors to bring the game within one
• Lawrence Tech continued to make things challenging, scoring four unanswered. The run ended on a dump-kill by setter Mackenzie Keefer, who helped set up Mancogna for two more kills to try and get the Warriors back into the fight. RCU found life at the game's 33rd rally, with Hudgins, Mack, and senior Emily Carroll getting kills during a 6-2 RCU run to bring the game within one. However, the Blue Devils regained composure and found three kills to put the match away

STAT OF THE GAME

Horne's last two games have been strong defending the back for the Warriors, with 32 digs across the matchups.

UP NEXT

The Warriors return home on Saturday, Sept. 7 for a tri-match between RCU, Trinity Christian (IL), and Ohio Christian. The Warriors start things off against Trinity Christian at 10 a.m. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Shelley Carroll - RCU Volleyball