VUVB splits final two matches at “Diggin’ in the Den”, Ainscough and Szybinska named to All-Tournament Team

HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Vincennes had to face a tough test early Saturday morning after winning two five-set matches against strong opponents the night before.

The Trailblazers got the morning started by taking on host and No. 18 ranked Wallace State Community College.

The Lions showed why they are one of the top-ranked teams in the country by downing the Blazers in straight sets in VU's first match of the day.

Vincennes held their own, but Wallace State proved to be too much as the Lions came away with the win 17-25, 15-25, 23-25.

"It was tough to play Wallace State in the morning after two 'overtime' matches the night before," VUVB head coach Gary Sien said. "We were not sharp and slow to react on multiple fronts."

VU was again led offensively by the hitting duo of freshmen Jagoda Szybinska (Poznan, Poland) and Addison Ainscough (Cannelburg, Ind.).

Szybinska led the Blazers with 10 kills against Wallace State and would also add three digs to her line score.

Ainscough finished with nine kills and nine digs, while also pitching in with a pair of blocks and an ace on the match.

Sophomores Amee Beedle (Wheaton, Ill.), Jamie Russell (East St. Louis, Ill.) and Breanna Metzger (Dale, Ind.) also contributed in key moments offensively, with Metzger and Beedle also adding help defensively with Metzger's team-high 13 digs and Beedle adding eight.

Freshmen Hannah Graber (Montgomery, Ind.) and Josephine Mulligan (Saint John, Ind.) again ran the Trailblazer offense, with Graber leading VU with 14 set assists and Mulligan finishing with 10.

Vincennes looked to rebound in their next match against Bevill State Community College, which immediately followed their first match of the day.

VU got ahead early and never looked back against the Bears, taking set one 25-9 on their way to a clean sweep to close out the weekend. Taking sets two and three by the score of 25-16.

"We recovered well with a three-straight win over Bevill State where we were able to play the whole team," Sien said. "It's a good start to the year as we look forward to a very busy week."

Ainscough led the Blazers again offensively, completing her second double-double of her young collegiate career, finishing with 13 kills and a team-high 14 digs.

Breanna Metzger also reached double-digits in kills, ending her day with 11 to go along with a block and one dig.

Jagoda Szybinska and Jamie Russell nearly eclipsed double-figures in kills with Szybinska finishing with nine and Russell adding seven, with a pair of blocks.

Graber and Mulligan set up the Trailblazers' hitters well again, with Graber leading the way with 23 set assists, with six digs and Mulligan chipping in 13 set assists, while also tying fellow freshman Lara Gomes de Castro (Sao Paulo, Brazil) with a team-high three aces.

The freshman hitting duo of Ainscough and Szybinska were also named to the All-Tournament team following their weekend performances with Ainscough finishing with 54 kills on the tournament and a team-high 53 digs and Szybinska ending with 51 kills.

VU will now head home to the P.E. Complex for their home opener against Region 24 opponent Shawnee, Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. eastern.

The Blazers will then have to deal with another short turnaround as Vincennes will hit the road again, this time heading to Centralia, Ill. to take on the reigning Region 24 Champions Kaskaskia, Wednesday Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. eastern.

VUVB vs. Wallace State Box Score

Wallace State – 25 25 25

VINCENNES (2-1) – 17 15 23

VINCENNES STATS

Josephine Mulligan – 1 points, 1 ace, 4 digs, 10 set assists

Amee Beedle – 5 points, 5 kills, 8 digs

Addison Ainscough – 11.5 points, 1 ace, 9 kills, 1 solo block, 1 block assist, 9 digs

Emilie Cornelson – 2.5 points, 1 kill, 3 block assists

Jagoda Szybinska – 10 points, 10 kills, 3 digs

Breanna Metzger – 4 points, 3 kills, 1 solo block, 13 digs

Jamie Russell – 4 points, 4 kills

Hannah Graber – 2 points, 1 ace, 1 kill, 1 dig, 14 set assists

Malgorzata Banasiak – 2.5 points, 2 solo blocks, 1 block assist

VUVB vs Bevill State Box Score

Bevill State – 9 16 16

VUVB (3-1) – 25 25 25

VINCENNES STATS

Josephine Mulligan – 3 points, 3 aces, 1 dig, 13 set assists

Amee Beedle – 1 point, 1 ace, 8 digs, 2 set assists

Addison Ainscough – 13 points, 13 kills, 14 digs, 1 set assist

Lara Gomes de Castro – 3 points, 3 aces, 5 digs, 1 set assist

Jagoda Szybinska – 9 points, 9 kills

Breanna Metzger – 11.5 points, 11 kills, 1 block assist, 1 dig

Jamie Russell – 8.5 points, 7 kills, 1 solo block, 1 block assist

Grace Earp – 9 digs

Hannah Graber – 2 points, 1 ace, 1 kill, 6 digs, 23 set assists

Malgorzata Banasiak – 2 points, 2 kills