MIDWAY, Ky. -- Following a not so good performance against Berea (Ky.) earlier in the week, the Midway University women's volleyball team bounced back with quite possibly one of their best performances of the season on Friday night against IU East in a conference matchup.
The Eagles were firing on all cylinders from the get-go in the opening set as they sprinted to a 2-0 lead after taking the first two sets. The Red Wolves rallied to win the third frame, but Midway won the fourth set sealing the 3-1 victory (25-19, 25-19, 18-25, 25-19).
In Tuesday's performance against Berea, the Eagles collected just 35 kills and a 0.066 hitting percentage, but on Friday night they posted 46 kills and a 0.157 attacking chip, while holding the Red Wolves to a 0.127 hitting clip.
Not only was Friday's win an important River States Conference victory, but it also was Midway's first-ever victory against IU East. With the win, Midway improves to 10-11 overall and 3-5 in RSC play, while the Red Wolves fall to 13-10 overall and 5-3 in league play.
Jonea Rima's club was clicking on all cylinders to open the match as they scored the first seven points. The early advantage came thanks to the strong serving of Brooke Trompler (Campton, Ky.) who served three aces giving Midway the early edge.
Strong serving was a point of emphasis for the Eagles all night. Midway only served six aces, but a season-low six service errors were key to the win. The strong serving took the Red Wolves out of system giving Midway the upper hand.
Midway cooled off from their hot start in the opening set, but they managed to hold on for the 25-19 win taking the early 1-0 lead in the match.
IU East seemed to return to form as they held a 10-7 lead in the second stanza, but a quick 5-0 run gave Midway the lead for good. The Eagles continued to hold a two-point lead before pushing it to five en route to the 25-19 win taking a two-sets-to-none lead in the match.
After failing to get anything going in the third frame, Midway regained control of the match in the fourth set. Behind the strong serving of Ashlee Simpson (Somerset, Ky.) the Eagles sprinted out to a 13-5 lead which would prove to be enough cushion the rest of the way.
IU East rallied cutting the deficit to 23-19 forcing Rima to call a timeout, but a kill from Trompler setup match point where Alysha Tullar (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) stuffed hole a solo block sealing the 3-1 win with the 25-19 win in the fourth set.
The solo block was Tullar's lone block on the night, but she provided more than enough fire power on the offensive end. She posted yet another double-double with 25 kills and 16 digs, while it was an efficient night carding a .234 hitting clip.
Trompler also added 14 kills and 10 digs, while Tori Richman (Fort Wayne, Ind.) chipped in four kills off the bench. Madi Eberst (Chillicothe, Ohio) had another all-around strong performance with 42 assists and 11 digs for her 13th double-double of the season. Simpson tied the team-high with 16 digs in the win.
Midway will now look to build off Friday night's win when they host Ohio Christian University on Saturday at noon ET in Marshall Gymnasium.
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