INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Midwest Region Crossover Tournament happens once a year and is a crossover between the GMAC, GLVC, and GLIAC. The tournament is taking place in the Academy Volleyball Club in Indianapolis, Ind. The atmosphere is that of AAU tournaments, at least nine matches are started at the same time in the same venue. Davenport had a rough start to the tournament, losing both matches that they played during day one. The Panthers fell to McKendree University 3-1 during the first session of games and then lost to the University of Findlay 3-1 in the final session. Davenport came to life during sets three and four against the Oilers, but getting behind two sets to nothing came back to haunt Davenport later on.
 
MATCH 1 (McKendree)
Final Score: Davenport 1, McKendree 3
Location: Indianapolis, Ind.
Records: Davenport 11-10, McKendree 11-9
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-SET SCORES: 26-24, 21-25, 23-25, 23-25
-The two matches that Davenport played during today had different narratives. In the match against McKendree the Panthers won the opening set and then went on a slump, losing three straight sets. The first set needed extra points to determine a winner. The Bearcats went up 22-20, then DU won three straight to take a 23-22 lead. The set was tied at 23 and then again at 24 before Davenport won two straight points to earn the set one win. The set-winning point belonged to Kasey Stehouwer on a service ace. Set two, three, and four were all extremely close, but the ball bounced the Bearcats way during all the sets. In set two the score was tied 19-19 and McKendree proceeded to score six out of the next eight points to win the set, tying the overall score 1-1. In the third set McKendree was in the driver's seat for a majority of the time. With the score tied 11-11 the Bearcats scored three straight points, taking a 14-11 lead and would hold on to the lead all the way until the end. The final set was another hold your breath type of set. The score was deadlocked at 21-21 and the Bearcats won five of the final seven points to win the match in four sets.
 
STAT LEADERS
Kills-Hayley Kreiger (13)
Aces-Gabie Shellenbarger/Sydney Tracer/Stehouwer (1)
Blocks-Ashley VanderHorst (4)
Assists-Tracer (26)
Digs-Stehouwer (21)
 
MATCH 2 (Findlay)
Final Score: Davenport 1, Findlay 3
Location: Indianapolis, Ind.
Records: Davenport 11-11, Findlay 16-4
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-SET SCORES: 17-25, 16-25, 25-18, 25-27
-The script for this match was completely different than the McKendree match. Davenport got down early against the Oliders, losing the opening two sets and were pushed back on their heels. In the third set the Panthers flipped a switch and went on a stretch in the middle of the set that took them to victory. The Oliders led 10-9 in the set and looking to get the sweep, but the Panthers scored eight of the following 10 points to take a 17-12 lead. The Oilers didn't take well to the stretch and responded with a run of their own to cut DU's lead down to two points (18-16). Davenport continued with the mojo and won seven of the remaining points to earn a victory on the set and force a fourth set. The fourth set was an absolute thriller, one that the fans who made the trip got to enjoy being a part of. Findlay took a 13-9 lead and it looked like they were going to run away with the set. Davenport immediately stepped up and scored four unanswered points to make it an even 13-13. The two teams battled it out until it got down to the point where a winner was to be crowned. The Oilers got some momentum late and led 22-19, but again Davenport went on a four-point streak, this time to take the lead 23-22. Findlay, thanks to some incredible defensive plays, were able to score five of the last seven points to seal the match win.
 
STAT LEADERS
Kills-Jenn Kay Vander Meer (16)
Aces-Vander Meer (2)
Blocks-VanderHorst (9)
Assists-Tracer (24)
Digs-Vander Meer/Stehouwer (14)
 
DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Vander Meer: 16 kills and 12 digs
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers have one more match to play in the Tournament tomorrow. Davenport will face Lewis University at 1 p.m.

Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Malachi Corliss