LIVONIA, Mich. - The stakes couldn't be higher on Senior Day at ACCU Arena, with a chance for these girls to play together one more time with a win over the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines. The Crusaders would prove to be up to the task, taking down the Wolverines in four sets and punching their ticket to the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The first set proved to be a nail-biter from the start, with both teams trading points back and forth. After being tied 7-7, three straight service aces by Crusader
Ryley Osentoski began a rally that helped the Crusaders jump ahead 15-9, before the Wolverines called timeout to regroup. Coming out of the break, the Wolverines would start to close the gap, eventually getting within two points of the Crusaders with the score 19-17. After this short run, the Crusaders would regroup and go on to close out the set 25-20.
The second set would begin much the same way with the two teams trading points; remaining virtually tied all the way until the 14-14 point of the match. At this point, the Crusaders would get their rhythm back and jump ahead 19-14. After the Crusaders' run came to a close, the Wolverines would go on a run of their own to eventually tie the game at 21-21. At this point, the Crusaders locked in to go on a 4-0 run to close out the set 25-21, taking a 2-0 lead in the match.
Determined to avoid the sweep, the Wolverines would seem to finally put the pieces together as they dominated the Crusaders 25-16, stealing set three to stay alive.
After getting bested in the third set, the Crusaders entered set four with a newfound determination to close out the match While the Wolverines would keep it close, the Crusaders would manage to keep them at arm's length the entire set; closing things out with a 25-19 victory and a 3-1 win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
UP NEXT:
The Crusaders will kick off the WHAC Tournament this Monday, November 11. Further details TBD.
