ADA, Ohio – The Adrian College women's volleyball team was back in action earlier today. On the final day of the ONU Invitational, Adrian swept the first match of the day against Pitt.-Bradford and then won a five-set thriller over Berea (Ky.)
Match 1
Adrian took control early, rattling off back-to-back kills by Lauren Kilbarger and Khloe Budzynski to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead. An Apryl Kruse kill gave Adrian a 17-12 lead over the Panthers. The Bulldogs never looked back, taking set one 25-22.
Set two was all Bulldogs. Adrian tallied 12 kills, four blocks, and two service aces in a dominating win. The Bulldogs led by as much as 14 points against the Panthers in set two, winning the set 25-12.
Looking for their first win of the season, Adrian fell behind 4-1 early in set three. Back-to-back kills by Khloe Budzynski tied the set at four. Despite a battle by Pitt.-Bradford, Adrian maintained a constant attack. Morgan Wood capped off the 25-17 victory with her first career kill.
Match 2
The Bulldogs hoped to carry the momentum into their second match of the day and final match of the weekend. However, Berea jumped out to an early lead and led by as much as five points. Adrian fought throughout the set, but it wasn't enough as the Mountaineers took the set 25-23.
Set two started in Adrian's favor, and a Khloe Budzynski kill gave the Bulldogs a 14-10 lead. Berea battled back, eventually leading 22-20. Another kill by Budzynski tied the set at 24, but back-to-back kills by Berea put the Mountaineers up 2-0 in the match.
Adrian showed no quit in set three. A 7-0 run by the Bulldogs was highlighted by three straight service aces courtesy of Kora Nicolanti. It was all Adrian from there as they won the set 25-19.
In the fourth set, Berea maintained a lead until a kill by Budzynski put the Bulldogs up 22-21. An Adrian attack error evened things up at 22. The Bulldogs responded with three straight points, securing a 25-22 win and forcing a pivotal fifth set.
The fifth and final set was a seesaw battle that featured ties at six different points. Down 9-8, the Bulldogs rattled off four straight points to take a 12-9 lead. Berea hung around, but a Lauren Boehmer kill completed the Bulldog comeback.
Khloe Budzynksi had a career-high, totaling 21 kills against Berea. It is the second-most kills in a single match in program history.
Up Next
Adrian will head to Pennsylvania next weekend for the Gator Invitational. They will face Houghton University at 5 PM, then Allegheny College at 7 PM on Friday. The trip will conclude with a match against Fredonia at 11 AM on Saturday.
