Sept. 6, 2008

Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

Livonia, Mich. - Improvement is the key word for Davenport's volleyball team and they are doing just that as they again split their two matches on Saturday at the Julie Martin Memorial Tournament in Livonia.

In the opening match of the day, the Panthers sqaured off against perrenial NAIA power Cedarville University of Ohio. Last season, DU was able to push the Yellow Jackets to a fifth set before falling to the ranked team and this year was no different. DU dropped the first two sets both by close margins (25-21 and 25-19) and knew they were just a few mistakes away from staying in the match. The offense took over in sets three and four as the Panthers tied the match at two sets a piece with 25-19 and 25-23 wins in sets three and four. DU seized the momentum to start the fifth and deciding set and led 10-7 with the serve. A few costly errors down the stretch and some rough passing did the Panthers in as they fell by the slimmest of margins 15-13. Freshman Kailey Schultz (Grand Haven, MI) had her best match as a Panther as she posted 15 kills on a .400 hitting percentage. Sophomore Kayla Vandermolen (Cedar Springs, MI) dished out a match high 40 assists in the loss and Freshman Courtney DePriest (Grand Rapids, MI) posted a career high 34 digs.

Match two of the day pitted the Cougars of Spring Arbor against DU and the added confidence from the opening match was on display for Davenport as they walked away with a convincing 3-0 victory. Davenport and Spring Arbor battled each other in the opening set with the Panthers pulling away late for the 25-22 victory. Sets two and three were dominated by DU as they won 25-10 and 25-15.

The split on Saturday finished the Panthers at 2-2 for the tournament which was good for 3rd place behind champion Madonna University and Cedarville University.  Heather Deal (Ravenna, MI) was named to the All-Tournament team for the Panthers as they now stand at 5-7 on the year.

Davenport will hit the road for two very tough matches this week against NCAA D2 powerhouses Hillsdale College (Tuesday) and Grand Valley State University (Wednesday).