LEBANNON, Tenn. –  The Madonna University Crusaders Volleyball team suffered two defeats at the hands of Kesier University (Fla.) and Cumberland University (Tenn.)  3-0 and 3-1, respectively, in its first two games of the 2023 campaign at the Phenoix Classic on Friday. 

GAME 1

The Crusaders took on the Seahawks and would keep things knotted through the first fame. Madonna and Kesier were trading points but eventually the Seahawks would win the first frame 25-21. In the second the Crusaders would take advantage of some Seahawk errors to take an early 3-1 lead. Keiser would respond quickly with a 12-4 run to take the lead right back and took the second 25-17 and would win the third 25-20.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Kira Buza led Madonna with 10 kills and an attacking percentage of .400
• Kacie Stonebuner and Karlee Stoll had 15 assists each
• Jaeda Porter had a good game on the defensive side with five block assists and two solo blocks

GAME 2

Game number two featured a matchup with the hot school of the Phoenix Classic, Cumberland University. The Crusaders bounced back in a big way after their match against Keiser University. Taking the first frame 25-21 thanks to four kills from senior, Tauri Hintz. 
In frames two through four, Cumberland took control of the game and would win the match in four sets 3-1. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Hintz led the Crusaders in kills with 11 and also had three block assists
• Karlee Stoll led the Crusaders in digs with nine and recorded 15 assists

UP NEXT

The Crusaders will return to action tomorrow with day two of the Phoenix Classic. The Crusaders will face Fisk University (Tenn.) at 11:30 a.m. and William Carey University (Miss) at 2:00 p.m EST   

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