No. 6 Warriors Fall in Invitational Finale

MARION, Ind. – In its final match of the IWU Invitational, No. 6 Midland University went up against Grace College on the court at Luckey Arena. After splitting the first two sets, the Warriors dropped the next two to the Lancers in four sets (25-21, 19-25, 25-16, 25-21).

Midland had trouble finding its groove throughout the early season match. After jumping out to an early advantage, they allowed a six-point run that put them in a 14-10 hole as the set reached its midway. The teams traded points the rest of the way with Grace taking the opener, 25-21.

The Lancers used that momentum to get out in front to start the second set, taking a 7-4 lead. The Warriors fought back to tie the score three times before using a four-point swing to go up 15-12. With the set tilted in their favor, they kept the lead the rest of the way for the 25-19 win.

With the match tied at a set apiece, the third set saw the teams swap points early. After a tie at 3-3, Grace scored four straight to seize control. Midland attempted to get back into the set but each run they put together was matched by its counterpart on the other side of the net. The Lancers' lead grew throughout as they cruised to the 25-16 win to go up 2-1 in the match.

Needing to win set four to force a deciding set five, the Warriors looked focused and poised at the onset of the fourth. They built a 12-8 lead that grew to a 19-14 advantage. After that point, Grace found its most productive rotation of the day. The Lancers scored five straight to pull even, prompting a timeout by the Warriors.

Out of the break, the rally continued with two more points that led to another timeout from the Midland bench. Three points later, the Warriors earned a side-out but were in a 24-19 deficit after ten straight points from the Lancers. Sitting on match-point, the Warriors extended the set with back-to-back points but ultimately fell, 25-21.

For the match, Grace hit .206 with 52 kills on 141 attacks while Midland had 41 kills on 136 attacks. The Lancers committed just 23 hitting errors while the Warriors had 30.

Freshmen Brooklyn Snyder and Lauren Jones led the way on the attack with double-digit kills. Snyder had 13 while Jones had 10. Delanie Vallinch paced the Warriors in the back row defensively with 22 digs. The defense at the net saw 8 blocks as a team. Jacki Apel had a hand in on half of the stuffs with a solo and three assists.

After making the trek back home, Midland (0-3) will get back to work as they look for the season's first win. They'll host York (0-0) at home on Tuesday as they continue their nonconference slate. First serve is set for 7:30 p.m. inside the Wikert Event Center in Fremont, Nebraska with a junior varsity match prior at 6:00 p.m.