Aces earn another 5-set victory

UE defeats Bradley on Saturday

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the second evening in a row, the University of Evansville volleyball team earned a 5-set victory in come-from-behind fashion, defeating Bradley by a 3-2 final on Saturday at Meeks Family Fieldhouse.

Another spectacular night saw Giulia Cardona record 31 kills along with 10 digs.  Chloe Cline finished with eight kills while Angelica Gonzalez added seven.  Ainoah Cruz posted a match-best 21 digs while Kora Ruff tallied 35 assists and 11 digs.

Set 1 – UE 25, Bradley 22

Game one set the tone for a competitive evening.  Bradley was the first team to take a multi-point lead, going up 9-7.  Evansville rebounded with three in a row to go back. In front as Kora Ruff picked up an ace.

The turning point for the Purple Aces came after the Braves took a 19-18 lead.  UE rallied to scored five in a row as Josdarilee Caraballo tallied an ace.  A service error by BU set the Aces up with a 24-20 edge before Cardona had the clinching kill.

Set 2 – Bradley 25, UE 21

In the second set, the Braves had the early momentum, going up 9-5.  Three in a row cut the deficit to one before Bradley extended the advantage to 17-12.  Evansville continued to remain within striking distance before BU evened the match with a 4-point win.

Set 3 – Bradley 25, UE 23

A similar set took place in the third as the Braves held multiple leads while the Aces remained close.  Bradley held an 8-5 lead before a Cardona kill set UE up with a 10-9 edge.  Another kill by Cardona made it a 16-14 game before the Braves rallied back with five in a row to go up by three.  Evansville cut the deficit to 22-21, but it was BU who scored the final two to take a 2-1 match lead.

Set 4 – UE 26, Bradley 24

Multiple lead changes ensued leading to a 15-15 score.  Neither squad led by more than two until Evansville scored three in a row as Cardona registered three consecutive kills.  Once again, Bradley had the answer, retaking a 24-23 edge.  Down to its final point, UE took over and scored the final three points to force a fifth game.

Set 5 – UE 15, Bradley 10

Evansville was cranking on all cylinders to open the frame, jumping out to a 5-0 lead.  Ruff did the serving and recorded another ace.  Bradley did its best to overcome the slow start, getting within three points (9-6), but the UE attack proved to be too much.  The Aces pulled away to clinch the match with a 15-10 decision.

Next weekend, the homestand continues with matches against Belmont and Murray State on Thursday and Friday.