Box Score | Video Interviews - Garner, Chase, Graves
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Davenport University posted one of their most impressive wins in school history on Friday night as they defeated visiting Madonna University in straight sets 25-23, 25-22, 25-15. The win is the first ever over the storied NAIA program who came into the match receiving votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll. DU now sits at 21-13 on the year and 6-2 in league action.
The Panthers entered Friday's match 0-14 all-time against the Crusaders but a solid defensive front and the use of momentum carried them to the upset sweep. Davenport posted 11.5 team blocks and limited the powerful Crusaders offense to a .139 hitting percentage. Brittany Bott led the offense for DU with 11 kills while hitting at a .348 clip as Kelse Moon chipped in with nine kills and Kassie Graves eight.
The opening set saw MU take a 4-1 lead off the start but DU hung with the visitors eventually taking their first lead at 21-20 on a kill from Graves. One more kill from the junior to go along with an ace and a few MU errors lifted DU to the 25-23 win. Set two was very similar to the first for the first 10 points but an 11-5 run by the Panthers put them in control at 20-13. A late rally by MU was not enough as DU pulled ahead 2-0 with the 25-22 win.
Sitting one set from one of the biggest wins in program history, Davenport came out on fire in the third set taking control with a 10-5 run highlighted by three kills from Kelse Moon. The lead grew to as many as 13 (22-9) on a termination from Nicole Chase and DU cruised to the 10 points win 25-15.
Jenn Brunink led the blocking force with two solo's and three block assists. Kassie Graves finished as the dig leader with 11 while Lexie Spetoskey dished out a team high 27 assists.
Post-Match Quotes - Nicole Chase and Kassie Graves
Chase on meaning of defeating such a great program in Madonna - “It means everything…right now we are on cloud nine and to see all our hard-work pay off is such a great feeling.”
Graves on momentum going into regular season finale against Cornerstone - “We will definitely take this win with us as Cornerstone beat Madonna and now we beat Madonna as well. It is always great to play a rival.”
Post-Match Notes
The win lifts Davenport to 1-14 all-time against the Crusaders…DU picked up their first win of the season against a team in the NAIA Top-25 or receiving votes section as 11 of their previous 13 losses came to those teams…Davenport hosts Cornerstone on Wednesday on senior night and a win by DU puts them in second place in the WHAC
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