Jodie Kelly attacks ball in win over UNOH

Anne Marie Jucha

Crusaders impress in Julie Martin Classic

By Zachary Shore

1/30/2021 9:28:00 PM

LIVONIA Mich- It had been 422 days since the Madonna University volleyball team played a match, but they got the 2021 season off to an impressive start with a pair of sweeps in the Julie Martin Classic inside the Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Blue and Gold began the season with a hard-fought 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-22) win over Judson University (Ill.) before besting University of Northwestern Ohio in a non-conference contest, 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-17).

Judson Box Score

UNOH Box Score

DJ Sargent - Kacie Stoneburner chat in win over UNOH

Volleyball Huddle after point in win over UNOH

Kacie Stoneburner attacks ball in win over UNOH

Sophia Mainhardt - Janelle Kwasiborski Block

Tauri Hintz attacks ball in win over UNOH

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was fairly evident the Crusaders hadn’t played a match in over a year as the Eagles, who entered the day 1-4, led by as many as six points and were up 21-15 before MU found another gear. Led by the service of Ryan Castle, the home team scored five straight points to tie the score at 23. A pair of errors by the Eagles gave MU the opening set.
Madonna took control early in set two with a pair of 5-0 runs highlighted by a pair of kills from Tauri Hintz, service aces by Jordyn Dawson and Castle, and a pair of block assists from DJ Sargent and company. Needing just two points for the set, the Crusaders allowed Judson to score 10 straight points to tie the set at 23, but Sargent delivered a kill and joined Jodie Kelly on a block assist for the win.
The third set was another close affair that saw MU take a four-point lead on a 6-1 run, but Judson broke match point four times before Kelly terminated a pass from Dawson for the victory.
The Crusaders set the tone for the final match of the day with a dominating first set that saw Castle begin with six straight points which included an ace and a kill, two kills from Kelly, and another from Kacie Stoneburner. MU won 20 of the first 30 points en route to the win.
It was more of the same in set two as the Crusaders won 20-of-32 points to cruise to a 2-0 lead. UNOH got close in set three at 19-16, but the Blue and Gold scored six of the final seven points, three via Kelly kills, for the match win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

.108
31
80.5
12
.429

The Blue and Gold limited UNOH to a .108 attack percentage and permit Judson to hit just .082.

The number of kills posted by Kelly in the two matches. She also added four block assists and 17 digs.

The percent of the 77 assists dished out by Dawson (34) and Betsy Cook (28)

The number of blocks the Crusaders posted on the day led by Sargent who had eight with six coming against Judson.

MU’s attack percentage in the win over UNOH with a 43-10-77 line.

INSTANT REPLAY

THEY SAID WHAT?!?

It felt great to compete against someone other than ourselves. Scrimmaging has many benefits, but nothing beats earning a win. These were important games because it allowed us to knock off some rust and gain some confidence before conference play next week.

Jodie Kelly, senior outside hitter

It was a good opening day for Madonna Volleyball. I thought the team played very hard with lots of energy and enthusiasm. The defense was exceptional and our attack was strong. We got off to a slow start, but we got stronger as the day went on. It was a long wait to finally play a match, but very happy with our play today.

Head Coach Jerry Abahram in his 32nd season at the helm

LET'S GET SOCIAL

Let's play ?? today.

??: Judson / UNOH
?: 11a / 3p
??: https://t.co/kMn2yT7QGU
??: https://t.co/sc6OntgL8M pic.twitter.com/aXHleAT9Df
— Madonna Volleyball (@MUCrusadersVB) January 30, 2021

UP NEXT

The Crusaders square off against UNOH again on Tuesday, Feb. 2 as they open Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play in Lima, Ohio at 7 p.m.

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