FORT WAYNE - Grace’s volleyball team closed out its opening weekend of play at the Onset Invitational on Saturday.
The Lancers began the day with a sweep of Northwestern Ohio, their third straight win of the year. The day ended with a 3-0 loss to No. 7 Viterbo.
In the opening win against UNOH, Grace’s blocking and serving proved to be the difference. The Lancers finished with an 8-2 advantage in block points and 6-2 edge in aces.
The Racers struggled to handle Grace’s defensive tenacity, hitting at a negative hitting percentage for the match (-.035).
The first set was the closest of the three. The Racers jumped ahead at the start with a 3-0 lead, but Grace soon countered with seven unanswered points. Jadyn Ross had two kills during the spurt.
The sides took turns making small runs, resulting in an 18-18 tie. Grace then took control with five straight points, winning the match 25-22 after another kill from Ross.
The Racers began the second set well again by winning the first five rallies. Midway into the set, however, Grace made a run of its own to even the score. Grace then ended the set on a 10-2 charge to win by five.
The Lancers were dominant in the third set. Grace blitzed the Racers by winning 14 of the first 17 points. UNOH had no response, and the Lancers clinched the sweep with a 25-14 victory.
Ross had a double-double of 10 kills and 12 digs. Katie Swanson and Sahara Bee had five kills apiece, and Riley Owens had 10 assists, 6 digs and 2 aces.
Alisha Leffring finished with two aces and two solo blocks, Livia Tate notched five block assists, and Morgan Syoen notched 10 assists and four digs
In the final match of the tournament, No. 7 Viterbo’s offense proved to be too difficult to slow down. Viterbo amassed 47 kills at a .312 percentage during the victory.
The first set was a thriller. Grace had the upper hand late with a 19-14 lead; they still held a 22-17 advantage before Viterbo came roaring back.
Viterbo used five straight kills to erase the gap, ending the set on an 8-1 charge to steal a 25-23 victory.
Viterbo grabbed the lead early in the next two sets and refused to let Grace rally. Grace fell 25-13 and 25-18 to end the match.
Ross nearly had another double-double with 11 kills and eight digs, and Leffring had six kills and two block assists.
Syoen finished with 10 assists and 10 digs, Owens tallied 11 assists, and McKenzie Stakely had a team-high 11 digs and two aces.
The Lancers will be in action again on Sept. 1-2 for the Bethel Invitational. Grace’s home opener is Sept. 6 against Goshen.