MIDWAY, Ky. -- Midway women's volleyball returned to Marshall Gymnasium on Tuesday night, falling to Campbellsville (Ky.) in straight sets, 25-18, 25-9, 25-18.
The Eagles battled the Tigers throughout the opening set and held an early advantage before Campbellsville used a run midway through the frame to take control.
Midway grabbed a 9-6 lead following a Campbellsville service error, but the Tigers responded with seven consecutive points to take a 13-9 advantage. The Eagles battled back and pulled within two at 14-12 before Campbellsville created separation on its way to the 25-18 opening-set victory.
Campbellsville carried the momentum into the second set. The Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 advantage before Midway got on the board following a service error. Midway later used a three-point run, highlighted by a kill from Ava Benner and an ace from Allie McClanahan, to cut the deficit to 11-6.
The Tigers responded and eventually closed the second set with seven consecutive points to earn the 25-9 victory and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Midway came out strong in the third, scoring the first two points behind a kill from Alyssa Medeiros and a Campbellsville setting error. The Tigers answered and eventually built a 12-5 advantage.
Trailing 24-15 late in the set, the Eagles continued to battle. Benner and Medeiros recorded back-to-back kills before a Campbellsville attack error extended the match and cut the deficit to 24-18. Campbellsville's Libby Erwin then closed the contest with a kill to give the Tigers the 25-18 third-set victory.
Medeiros led the Midway attack with seven kills while hitting .278, while McClanahan and Benner added five kills apiece. Benner hit a team-best .364 on 11 attempts.
Peyton Osteen led the Eagles with 11 assists, while Mayme Powell added nine. Defensively, Aubry Kamholz finished with a team-high nine digs, while Blair Riney added seven.
Campbellsville was led offensively by Libby Erwin, who finished with a team-high eight kills while hitting .278. Elif Akcivi added seven kills, while Brooke Hager chipped in six kills and hit .500. Kati Vest contributed across the board, finishing with five kills on a .714 hitting percentage, 28 assists, two service aces and two block assists. From the service line, Celestina Retumban led the Tigers with 11 aces while adding two digs.
Campbellsville finished the night hitting .333 with 37 kills, while Midway recorded 22 kills and hit .093. The Tigers also held a 15-3 advantage in service aces.
The loss moves Midway to 2-10 on the season and with the win the Tigers improve to 12-4.
UP NEXT:
Midway continues their homestand on Friday as they host Brescia in the River States Conference opener at 7:00 PM inside Marshall Gymnasium.
About Midway University Athletics
Midway University competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and its 29 athletics teams are part of the River States Conference, Mid-South Conference, the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, and USA Archery. For more information about Midway University Athletics, please visit www.gomidwayeagles.com or contact Tyler Beck at 859-846-5366
