ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College volleyball team celebrated their senior class prior to today's MIAA match with Alma College. The Bulldogs found themselves in a tight fight with the Scots, using all five sets to crown a victor.
Alma jumped on the board first in the opening set, holding a 6-2 lead. The Bulldogs took the lead via a seven-point run, making it 9-7. Adrian maintained a lead throughout the set, continuously exchanging points with Alma. Kills from seniors Lauren Boehmer and Virginia Rowan gave the Bulldogs a 19-16 advantage. A four-point run from the Alma Scots erased the Bulldogs' lead, with the game tied at 24. Once again, it was the senior class stepping up in this one as Kendall Sullivan, Lauren Boehmer, and Virginia Rowan each registered kills to seal the first set victory, 26-24.
The second set started with both teams exchanging blows as the lead changed four times. Senior Apryl Kruse and Khloe Budzynski registered kills that highlighted a six-point run for the Bulldogs. The Scots responded with a 9-1 run that gave them the lead, 20-19. Adrian retook the lead over the next three points with a 22-20 lead. Alma landed the final blow with five points over the last six rallies. Alma evened the match with a 25-23 win in the second set.
Alma carried their second set victory into the third set. Adrian hung around for the majority of the set, but an Alma service ace gave the Scots a nine-point lead. The Bulldogs didn't go down quietly, though, and an Apryl Kruse kill brought them within four points. The comeback effort was put to rest a point later as the Scots earned a 25-20 third-set victory, and a 2-1 lead in the match.
The Bulldogs responded in the next set, and kills from Kruse and Sullivan helped Adrian find a 14-12 lead. A few points later, it was once again Kruse and Sullivan with kills that helped the Bulldogs lead 21-18. Alma registered a kill to cut into the lead. An Avery O'Shaughnessy kill and three errors from the Scots pushed Adrian to a 25-19 victory. With the victory in the set, Adrian forced a match-deciding fifth set.
In the pivotal fifth and final set, Adrian jumped out to an early lead. A service ace by senior Kora Nicolanti gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead. Two service aces and two Bulldog errors allowed the Scots to gain a 4-3 lead. The Bulldogs battled, but a six-point run for the Scots provided an 11-6 lead for the visitors. Five points later, the Scots had ended the match with a 15-7 victory in the fifth set.
Seniors Apryl Kruse and Kendall Sullivan both registered career-highs in kills on their senior day. Kruse led both teams with 14, and Sullivan tallied ten. Kora Nicolanti recorded a career-high in digs with 37.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will compete against Bethel University (Ind.) in Mishawaka, Ind., on October 31 at 10 AM. MIAA play will resume for Adrian on November 4 at home in a pivotal match with Saint Mary's College (Ind.).
