Herdes leads UE with 11 kills
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Saturday’s weekend finale saw the University of Evansville volleyball team drop a 3-0 decision to Valparaiso at Meeks Family Fieldhouse.
Brooke Herdes led the Purple Aces with 11 kills while adding seven digs. Josdarilee Caraballo registered eight kills in the contest while Ryan Scheu added seven. Ainoah Cruz tied for the match-high with 20 digs while Lexi Owen had 15 assists. Kadence Brumitt tallied 14 kills for the Beacons.
Game 1 – Valparaiso 25, UE 22
A hard-fought opening set saw the teams go back and forth for the duration. Brooke Herdes gave UE a 3-2 edge with a kill while McKenzie Laubach added one to make it a 9-6 game. The Beacons responded to tie the set at 10-10 before the Aces retook a 15-11 advantage. Four UE players registered kills during the run.
Once again, Valpo rallied to tie things up at 16-16 before Chloe Cline’s kill put Evansville in front at 20-18. A final rally from Valpo saw them overcome the deficit to take the set by a 25-22 final.
Game 2 – Valparaiso 25, UE 22
Another close battle ensued in the second frame. Ryan Scheu’s kill put the Aces on top at 4-3 before the Beacons grabbed an 8-7 edge. Herdes put the lead right back in the Aces hand with a kill to make it a 9-8 game, however, a quick spurt by Valpo gave them a 12-10 lead. Josdarilee Caraballo’s kill gave UE a 13-12 edge while the Beacons regained a 15-14 lead and expanded it to 20-17.
Trailing 23-19, the Aces made a final run scoring three in a row with Caraballo adding another kill, but the Beacons halted the rally to grab a 2-0 match lead.
Game 3 – Valparaiso 25, UE 18
Evansville jumped out to a 3-1 lead while the Beacons grabbed a 5-3 lead as they posted four in a row. They added to the lead taking a 12-6 edge. The Aces scored a pair to get within four, but another run saw the Beacons extend their lead to seven points at 16-9. Caraballo picked up two late service aces to cut into the deficit and make it a 20-17 game but it was not enough as VU clinched the match.
UE travels to Illinois State and Bradley next weekend.
