From University of Chicago Athletics
The University of Chicago volleyball team ran its winning streak to five with a pair of wins on Saturday at the Cornell College Classic.
The Maroons improved to 8-4 while the Rams fell to 7-6 and the Falcons dropped to 10-6.
At the conclusion of the day, UChicago senior setter Erin Risk and freshman outside hitter Anabella Pinton were both named to the All-Tournament Team.
UChicago 3, Cornell 2 (20-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-23, 15-11)
UChicago experienced its first five-set match of the season, winning in dramatic comeback fashion against the tournament hosts. Cornell caught fire offensively in the opening two sets, hitting for a .393 hitting percentage. Each time, the Rams pulled away late, including a 6-0 run at the end of set two.
A six-point run midway through the third set got UChicago on track at 14-8, followed by another six-straight points to make it 22-13. The Maroons grabbed the third set 25-17 and looked to close out the fourth set at 24-19. Cornell made things interesting by pulling to within one point, but the visitors held sway with a kill by sophomore outside hitter Audrey Scraffordto even the match, 25-23.
In the deciding fifth set, the score stood tied at 10-10. That's when Pinton came through with three-straight kills and then added another at 14-11. The Maroons captured the victory, 15-11.
Scrafford led the offense with a season-best 19 kills. Pinton (14 kills, 10 digs) and sophomore rightside hitter Sarah Muisenga(13 kills, 14 digs, 5 blocks) both contributed double-doubles. Risk posted 47 assists and 13 digs, with senior libero Mary Claire Tuohy adding 22 digs defensively.
UChicago hit .250 in the match (62 kills, 18 errors, 176 attempts) and came up big at the net, tying a season-best with nine blocks. Cornell hit .242 (63-20-178) with seven blocks. Each side scored five aces, but combined for 22 service errors.
UChicago Stat Leaders
Audrey Scrafford (So.) – 19 kills, 2 blocks
Sarah Muisenga (So.) – 13 kills, 14 digs, 5 blocks
Anabella Pinton (Fr.) – 14 kills, 10 digs
Erin Risk (Sr.) – 47 assists, 13 digs, 2 aces
Mary Claire Tuohy (Sr.) – 22 digs
UChicago 3, Wisconsin-River Falls 0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-18)
After the five-setter, the Maroons quickly dispatched the Falcons in the final match of the tournament. A 10-2 run in the first set put UChicago in control and led to a handy 25-16 win. The trend repeated itself in the second set, with a 10-1 burst that resulted in a two-set lead at 25-20. The Maroons then ended the match in a sweep by pulling away midway through the third set and winning 25-18.
Pinton and Muisenga both got into double-digit kills with 12 and 11. Risk posted 35 assists and 14 digs. UChicago hit for a .225 percentage compared to .087 by Wisconsin-River Falls. The Maroon defense compiled seven blocks.
UChicago Stat Leaders
Anabella Pinton (Fr.) – 12 kills, 4 digs
Sarah Muisenga (So.) – 11 kills, 10 digs, 2 aces
Katie LaPorte (Sr.) – 8 kills, 2 blocks
Erin Risk (Sr.) – 35 assists, 14 digs
Mary Claire Tuohy (Sr.) – 12 digs