Aug. 28, 2009
Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score
DEARBORN, Mich. - The Lady Panthers volleyball team opened the 2009 season at UM Dearborn today with a split in their first two matches. DU fell in a thrilling five set match to St. Xavier before defeating Marian University (Ind.) in four sets. Davenport will take on Illinois Tech and Bethel on Saturday.
In the opening match of 2009, DU got off to a strong start by taking the opening set 25-18 but then fell behind 2-1 after falling 25-22 and 25-14 in sets two/three. With the match on the line, the Panthers squeaked out the fourth set to force a deciding one in which St. Xavier jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead and never looked back winning 15-9.
DU was led by a very balanced offense as three players posted double-digit kills with junior Joyce Larioza (Fowlerville, Mich.) and freshman Kassie Graves (White Cloud, Mich.) leading the way with 11 each. Kelse Moon (Fremont, Mich.) also chipped in with 10 kills in her first collegiate match.
Other statistical category leaders for the Panthers were Kayla Vandermolen (Cedar Springs, Mich.) with 41 assists and Courtney DePriest (Grand Rapids, Mich) with 18 digs.
In the second match against Marian University (Ind.), the Panthers got hot again from the start and took the first two sets in convincing fashion by scores of 25-20 and 25-19. Marian forced another set with a 25-21 win in the fourth, but DU posted their first win of the year with a 25-21 win in the fourth set.
Freshman Kassie Graves led the offense with 17 kills as Autumn Williams (Fruitport, Mich.) also posted double-digit kills with 10. Kayla Vandermolen again surpassed 40 assists for the match and Courtney DePriest led the defense with an astounding 30 digs.
DU stands at 1-1 on the year which is the best start in school history for the opening weekend. The Panthers will square off against Illinois Tech and Bethel (Ind.) on Saturday in Dearborn.
