Box Score

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Playing the third of a very tough four-match stretch, Davenport was unable to come up with the plays late in sets tonight as they fell to visiting NW Ohio 25-19, 25-23, 23-22.  DU will host #13 Indiana Tech on Saturday at 1:00pm inside the Student Center.

After falling in straight sets to Madonna and Aquinas in their previous two matches, the opponents did not get any easier for DU as they welcomed WHAC newcomer to the Student Center on Friday night.

Looking to get off to a fast start unlike their previous two matches, the Panthers again fell behind early 11-5 forcing Coach Garner into a timeout.  The brief pause in action helped Davenport as they recorded eight of the next 12 points behind two kills each from Joyce Larioza (Fowlerville, Mich.)a and Ashley Penny (New Hudson, Mich.). 

After a few sideouts from each team, DU had a swing at 17-16 to tie the match but the ball sailed just long off the hands of Nicole Chase (Caledonia, Mich.) and the point started a 5-0 run for the Racers and they never looked back winning set one 25-19.

The second set was a back and forth affair for almost the entire time as neither team held a lead of more than two points.  With the score 15-14 in favor of the Racers, DU used a mini 5-3 run that was highlighted by three straight kills from Amy VanEns (Lowell, Mich.), Larioza and Chase to grab a 19-18 lead. 

DU upped their margin to two points at 21-19, but again the Racers closed strong and scored six out of the final eight points to take a two sets to none lead 25-23.

With their backs to the wall in the third set, DU again came out and played solidly all the way to the end but it was again the late errors that cost the Lady Panthers eventually falling 25-22.  DU hit just .118 in the final set compared to .175 for the Racers.

Junior Ashley Penny (New Hudson, Mich.) led the attack for DU with 11 kills on 22 attempt, hitting at a .409 clip.  Sophomore Kassie Graves (White Cloud, Mich.) chipped in with 8 klls and senior Joyce Larioza (Fowlerville, Mich.) finished with 7.  Senior Kayla Vandermolen (Cedar Springs, Mich.) posted 36 assists, 3 digs and 3 assist blocks on the night.

The loss is the third straight for Davenport as they now turn their attention to #13 Indiana Tech on Saturday at 1:00pm.  Live stats will be available for the match.