LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Panthers came into day one of the Bellarmine Kickoff Classic with a focus that their opponents would not deter. Davenport defeated the University of West Alabama 3-0 and then California (Pa.) 3-1. In the match against California (Pa.) the Panthers won set two by a score of 25-6. Neither opponent could slow down the Panthers offense, as Davenport hit .369 in the first match and then .310 in the second. After collecting the two wins Davenport improved to 4-3 on the season and play two more matches in the tournament tomorrow.
 
MATCH 1 (University of West Alabama)
Final Score: Davenport 3, West Alabama 0
Location: Louisville, Ky.
Records: Davenport 3-3, West Alabama 1-1


 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-SET SCORES: 25-16, 25-19, 25-20
-The Tigers scored the opening two points of the first set and that was the last time they held the lead in the set. Davenport quickly built up a 6-3 lead following a service ace by Kasey Stehouwer. The closest the Tigers got to the Panthers during the rest of the set is within two points during the middle. Davenport pulled away late with a six point run to take a 24-14 lead. Hayley Kreiger put the finishing mark on the Tigers with a kill to give DU a 1-0 lead.
-Davenport had a great start to the second set, taking a 9-3 lead after a kill by Jessica Marvin. The Panthers gradually built their lead throughout the set and held off the Tigers for a 25-19 set win.
-West Alabama put up a fight in the third and final set of the match. The Panthers broke away again towards the end, scoring five unanswered points to create a 24-18 lead.
 
STAT LEADERS
Kills-Kreiger (10)
Aces-Stehouwer (2)
Blocks-Kreiger (2)
Assists-Sydney Tracer (18)
Digs-Jenn Kay Vander Meer (9)
 
MATCH 2 (California (Pa.))
Final Score: Davenport 3, California (Pa.) 1
Location: Louisville, Ky.
Records: Davenport 4-3, California 4-2


 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-SET SCORES: 25-27, 25-6, 25-15, 25-18
-The Vulcans snuck away with a win in the first set by two points. Davenport led 23-20 late and then the Vulcans scored four straight to give them a chance to win the set 25-23. The Panthers prolonged the set with a kill by Krieger to make the score 24-24. The set was later tied 25-25 before California (Pa.) scored back to back points for the win.
-The Panthers recorded one of their largest margins of victory in a set in school history during the second set. Davenport bounced back after the first set loss and defeated the Vulcans 25-6 to completely change the momentum of the match. The Panthers scored 16 straight points to take a 22-2 lead over California (Pa.). The Vulcans scored back to back points for the first time in the set after DU had already scored 23.
-The third set belonged to Davenport as they carried over their dominant play from the second set. The Panthers led 11-3 following a kill by Vander Meer. Davenport finished the set with three straight points, including two kills by Ashley VanderHorst.
-Again, Davenport got a great start to the set, building up a lead of 8-2. The Vulcans fought back and came within one point of the Panthers during a couple different points. However, Davenport pulled away by scoring six points to take a 19-12 lead. The two teams swapped points for the rest of the set, which played out in DU's favor for the 25-18 set win and 3-1 match win.
 
STAT LEADERS
Kills-VanderHorst (26)
Aces-Stehouwer (2)
Blocks-Marvin (4)
Assists-Tracer (28)
Digs-Stehouwer (22)
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
The 26 kills by VanderHorst in the match vs California (Pa.) ties alumni Krissy Dill for the second most by an individual in a single match in DU history. VanderHorst also chipped in four block assists, four digs, and one service ace to go with her 26 kills.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will play West Virginia Wesleyan and Bellarmine during day two of the Bellarmine Kickoff Classic on Saturday, September 1.

Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Alexis Hoffman