MOUNT VERNON, Ohio -- The Madonna University Crusaders volleyball team suffered two losses in their final two games of the Cougar Classic with a 3-2 defeat (25-17, 25-19, 22-25, 23-25, 11-15) to No. RV Indiana University East and then a 3-0 defeat (22-25, 17-25, 21-25) to No. 20 Mount Vernon University on Saturday afternoon at the Cougar Classic hosted by Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Ohio.)


HOW IT HAPPENED:


The Crusaders looked to bounce back after yesterday's loss to Huntington University and started game one strong against a talented Indiana University East team. In the first set, the Crusaders started with a quick 13-4 lead forcing IU East to call a timeout as many of the Crusader points came from IU East attack errors. IU East followed the timeout with a five point run of their own but were unable to bridge the huge lead Madonna had taken allowing the Crusaders to take the first set 25-17.  

In the beginning of set two Madonna and IU East were exchanging points until the Crusaders went on a six point run to take a 20-12 lead which was again too much for the Red Wolves to overcome with the Crusaders taking set two 25-19.   

In set three the Crusaders looked to close out the game and take the 3-0 sweep over IU East and pick up their first win of the season but instead it was the Red Wolves who would come alive and take over the game taking the next three sets from the Crusaders to complete a 2-0 comeback victory. 

In game two of the day it would be the Crusaders taking on an even more talented No.20 Mount Vernon Nazarene University, the hosts of the weekend tournament. In set one, the Crusaders again had a strong start to the set taking a 15-9 lead early but the Cougars would remain unfazed coming all the way back to take the first set 25-22. In the remaining two sets the Cougars would not look back and would sweep the Crusaders in three sets. 


 INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Kira Buza would lead the day in kills with 26.
• Karlee Stoll would finish the day with 63 assists and 19 digs.
• Evan Hughes would have a huge game one with 15 kills
• Katie Mulka would collect three more blocks in game two
• Khloee Stoll led the team in digs on the day with 3

UP NEXT:
Madonna is back in action Wednesday, September 4th as they have their first conference game against No. RV Aquinas University in Grand Rapids, Mich. The game is set to begin at 7:00 PM. 




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