UE volleyball earns 3-1 win over Chicago State in opener

Aces have strong start to opening weekend

Cathy Schreiber recorded 14 kills while hitting .393 as the University of Evansville volleyball team downed Chicago State, 3-1, in Friday’s season opener at the Leatherneck Invitational in Western Hall.

Schreiber fell just two shy of her career tally of 16 kills.  Rachel Tam and Rocio Fortuny had strong efforts, totaling 10 kills apiece.  A trio of newcomers made their marks in the victory.  Gabriela Dos Santos had 14 digs while freshman Cassie Brooke finished with 29 and fellow frosh Allana McInnis had 48 assists and a game-high six block assists.

“This was a good way to start the season.  We expected to be more nervous in the beginning, because of how many new people we have, as well as returners having new roles,” Aces head coach Manolo Concepcion said.  “But, the girls kept their composure and intensity. I was impressed with the set distribution and precision; it gave us good offensive opportunities.”

Dos Santos registered six digs and three kills as the Purple Aces took set one by a final tally of 25-21.  Rachel Tam had an early kill and service ace as UE jumped out to a 6-3 advantage.  The Cougars inched their way back into the contest, tying it up at 15-15.  From there, it was all UE as an Erlicia Griffith kill put the Aces up 22-18 before the hung on to take set one by a 25-21 final.

Through the entire duration of the second frame, neither squad led by more than two points. With the score tied at 18-18, the focus by both teams continued with each score being tied up to 28-28.  At that point, the Cougars were able to reel off the final two points to finish off with a 30-28 triumph to knot the match at 1-1.

Chicago State used the momentum from its win in the second game to open up the third with a 7-3 lead.  Cathy Schreiber was key to a 7-3 run by the Aces as her two kills helped to make it a 10-10 game.  Schreiber and Mildrelis Rodriguez kept up the intensity as two kills apiece helped Evansville open up a 19-13 advantage before finishing off with a 25-18 win.

Evansville scored the first four points in the fourth game before opening up an 8-1 lead.  Rachel Tam had a pair of kills in the early rally.  The Cougars were once again tenacious, chipping away at the deficit before tying it up late at 21-21.  The Aces scored two in a row on CSU errors before kills by Schreiber and Tam saw the Aces take a 25-23 decision while clinching the match.

On Saturday, the Aces will be back in action for a pair of matches.  They open the day at 10 a.m. versus Manhattan before taking on the host Leathernecks at 7 p.m.

“Tomorrow we have two more good opponents, where we have to be able to keep our emphasis on first and second contact, as well as playing systematic and disciplined,” Concepcion added.