GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Panthers gritted their teeth and defended home court against Saginaw Valley State during a five set match. Davenport found themselves down 1-2 in sets and came back to win the next two sets. Senior Krissy Dill led the charge for Davenport, tallying 19 kills and hitting .241 for the night. This is the second time this season that Davenport has won in five sets, the previous time was against Grand Valley State on September 22.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport 3, Saginaw Valley State 2
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Records: Davenport 9-8 (5-4), Saginaw Valley State 4-13 (3-6)


 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-SET SCORES: 23-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-16, 15-11
-In the first set the score was tied 15-15 after a kill by the Cardinals. Davenport scored three un-answered points to take an 18-15 lead. After a couple more points the Panthers took a 21-17 lead. Saginaw Valley State made a comeback, winning eight of the last 10 points to take set one.
-Early in the second set the teams went back and forth until the set was tied 10-10. Davenport won five of the next six points to take a 14-11 lead. The Panthers got a five point run late to take a 21-14 lead. Davenport finished off the set with back to back points for the 25-19 win.
-The Panthers got off to a hot start in the third set, taking a 9-3 lead after a kill by Charlie Smith. The Cardinals answered with a couple runs of their own and took a 12-10 lead in the middle of the set. Saginaw Valley scored three straight points late in the set to take a 24-19 lead and eventually finished it off for the 25-22 win.
-During the fourth set the fans got this feeling that losing wasn't an option for DU. A seven point run by the Panthers gave them a 13-6 lead in the middle of the set. Davenport maintained at least a three-point leader for the remainder of the set and won 25-16.
-The Cardinals didn't stand a chance during the final set. Davenport shot out to an early 8-1 lead and carried the momentum till the end. Saginaw Valley scored a few points late, but that wasn't enough as DU took the 15-11 set win.
 
STAT LEADERS
Kills-Dill (19)
Aces-Morgan Torres (3)
Blocks-Ashley VanderHorst (5)
Assists-Sydney Tracer (45)
Digs-Kasey Stehouwer (23)
 
UP NEXT
Davenport will take part in the GLVC Crossover next weekend in Chicago, Ill. The opponents are undecided at the moment for Davenport.

Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Alexis Hoffman