VUVB falls for the first time in Region 24 play at Wabash Valley

Mt. CARMEL, Ill. – The Vincennes University volleyball team fell for the first time in Region 24 play, after starting the season with a 6-0 record against Regional opponents.

The Trailblazers fell on the road against Wabash Valley 23-25, 25-16, 21-25, 17-25.

Set one was a back-and-forth battle that seemed to set the tone for the entire match, with neither team able to separate themselves on the scoreboard, Wabash Valley took set one over VU 25-23.

Vincennes responded in the second set, evening the match at one-all with a 25-16 set victory.

The Trailblazers again made the Warriors work in set three, but ultimately Wabash Valley took a 2-1 lead with the 25-21 win.

VUVB looked to force a winner-take-all fifth set, but were unable, as the Warriors came away with the 3-1 match win with the 25-17 set four victory.

"We did not match their intensity all night," VUVB head coach Gary Sien said. "They made all the hustle plays and won all the rallies. We made too many hitting errors in crucial moments."

The Trailblazers put up plenty of numbers in the box score, led by Jamie Russell who had an outstanding 16 kills, as well as five digs and three block assists.

Breanna Metzger and Amee Beedle also had double digit kills, with the duo finishing with 10 each. Metzger would add 18 digs and four block assists and Beedle would add 13 digs and an ace.

Savannah Grimes had an all-around game running the Trailblazer offense, finishing with 40 set assists, 15 digs, five block assists, two kills and an ace.

Grimes was fed several of her set assists from excellent passing from Grace Earp, who finished with 28 digs and two set assists of her own.

Anna Johnsey finished with seven kills, three solo block, four block assists and three digs.

Emile Cornelson had a strong night at the net, finishing with eight block assists to go along with her four kills, one solo block and one set assist.

"We had the numbers to win," Sien added. "49 kills, 28 blocks and 67 points. We had some good individual performances but not our typical consistent team play."

The Trailblazers must now turn their attention to another strong Region 24 opponent, John A. Logan.

VU will hit the road to take on the Volunteers Friday, March 12 at 7 p.m. eastern.

"We do not have much time to ponder on this match with a tough one coming up Friday at John A. Logan," Sien said of his upcoming match.

Wabash Valley  25  16  25  25  x

VUVB (11-7)  23  25  21  17  x

VINCENNES STATS

Savannah Grimes – 5.5 points, 1 ace, 2 kills, 5 block assists, 15 digs, 40 set assists

Amee Beedle – 11 points, 1 ace, 10 kills, 13 digs

Emile Cornelson – 9 points, 4 kills, 1 solo block, 8 block assists, 1 set assist

Anna Johnsey – 12 points, 7 kills, 3 solo blocks, 4 block assists, 3 digs

Breanna Metzger – 12 points, 10 kills, 4 block assists, 18 digs

Jamie Russell – 17.5 points, 16 kills, 3 block assists, 5 digs

Grace Earp – 28 digs, 2 set assists

Olga Vasovic – 1 set assist