Warsaw’s JV volleyball team won the NLC Tournament on Saturday. Photo courtesy Warsaw Volleyball Twitter

St. Xavier 3, Grace 0
Cumberland 3, Grace 1

Grace’s volleyball team could not maintain its momentum on the second day of the Lancer Classic on Saturday.

After winning both of their matches in 3-0 fashion on Friday, the Lady Lancers lost twice on Saturday to Cumberland and St. Xavier.

Grace started the match sharply against Cumberland thanks to the serving of Grace Erwin; the Lady Lancers won six of the first eight points.

The Phoenix came roaring back soon after to tie the score. Grace tried to build a cushion again at 16-12, and the home team held on for a 25-19 win.

Grace had 15 kills on just four errors in the set, led by four kills from Anna Frey.

In the second set, the Phoenix gained an edge midway into the game. Grace was unable to rally and fell 25-16. Cumberland amassed 14 kills in the set compared to nine for the Lady Lancers.

In the third set, a 9-2 spurt by Grace forced Cumberland to burn an early timeout. The tactic worked as the Phoenix employed a run to tie the score at 17-17.

The match remained close, but Cumberland made plays late to pull out a 25-23 win. Grace had 15 kills compared to 11 for Cumberland in the set, but the Phoenix aced five times to make the difference.

Cumberland scored the first four points of the fourth set. Grace struggled to fully bridge that gap, pulling to within one point on a few occasions. But each time, the Phoenix had an answer. Cumberland secured the 3-1 win with a 25-21 victory.

The Lady Lancers’ attack had more kills (52 to 51) and a better attack percentage (.192 to .178) than the Phoenix. But Cumberland’s 11 service aces propelled the visitors.

Katie Swanson’s 12 kills led Grace, and Frey had 11 kills, 11 digs and 4 block assists.

Leffring had 9 kills, 1 solo block and 3 block assists, Mueller had 9 kills, 1 solo block and 2 block assists, and Ross added five kills.

Syoen amassed 31 assists with 16 digs, Novotny racked up 26 digs, and Erwin added 10 digs.

In the final match of the tournament for Grace, St. Xavier (who is receiving votes in the NAIA) proved too much for Grace to handle.

SXU erupted for 17 kills in the opening set, winning 25-19. The second set ended with the same score as SXU added 15 more kills.

The Cougars finished off the sweep with a 25-16 victory.

Frey’s eight kills and Leffring’s seven kills paced Grace, and Novotny notched 13 digs in the match.

The Lady Lancers’ next match is also at home, hosting No. 21 Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Warsaw Wins NLC JV Tourney

Warsaw held its own to win the Northern Lakes Conference JV Volleyball Tournament.

The Tigers went through four teams, taking out Goshen, Plymouth and NorthWood in straight sets, then topped Northridge 25-22, 25-13. Stat leaders for the Tigers for the afternoon include Kenzie Chivington with 31 kills and 11 digs, Clara Porter 19 kills, 21 digs, four aces, Jael Namfukwe 16 kills and three aces, Ava Egolf 13 kills and seven blocks, and Daihya Chupp 81 assists, 29 digs, and five aces.

Wawasee went 2-2 on the day, beating Mishawaka and Concord in straight sets, then losing to Northridge and NorthWood, Ridge in three and Wood in two. Stat leaders for the Warriors include Julie Mishler with 27 kills and 15 digs, Alli McClintic with 21 digs and 19 kills, Kenzie Hackleman with 23 digs and six aces, Emma Young with 64 assists, 23 digs and five aces, and Jaci Worrell with 12 kills and seven blocks.

NorthWood finished third in the JV tourney, losing to Warsaw in the opening round then beating Goshen, Plymouth and Wawasee in succession. Stats for the Panthers were not provided.

Warsaw Wins NLC Freshman Tourney

The Tiger 9s also won the NLC Tournament, running through Northridge, Wawasee and NorthWood in straight sets, 25-18, 25-10 against NorthWood in the final. Stat leaders for the Tigers include Maggie Hollon with seven kills, 10 aces, and eight digs, Eva Everest with 43 assists and nine digs, Jillian Glaze with 16 digs, Allison Chapman with eight kills and four blocks, and Leila Knepp with six blocks.

Wawasee lost to Northridge in three, 15-13 in the final set, and to Warsaw in two before beating Mishawaka in two. Stat leaders for the Warriors include Abby Dusek with nine kills and seven aces, Natalie Katzer with 13 kills, Oceane Glandon with six aces and Natalia Pizana with six aces.

NorthWood went 2-1 in the tournament, losing to Warsaw in the final. Stat leaders for the Panthers include Natalia Vega with 14 digs, Chloe Davis with 17 assists and Elayna Yoder with 15 kills.

Warsaw’s freshman volleyball team won the NLC Tournament on Saturday. Photo courtesy Warsaw Volleyball Twitter