Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS

Ashley Cefali

Women's Volleyball 9/8/2023 6:14:00 PM Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Panthers Complete Day One of Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Classic

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ALLENDALE, Mich. - The Davenport University women's volleyball team resumed non-conference play at the 2023 Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Classic on Friday (Sept. 8). The Panthers (3-3, 0-0 GLIAC) fell in a five-set thriller to Clarion, who is receiving votes in the AVCA coaches poll. DU bounced back with a sweep over Ursuline to conclude day one of the tournament.

Match 1 vs. Clarion
Result: L, 3-2 (-18, -15, 20-25, 16-25, 11-15)
How it Happened
After a dominating first two sets by the Panthers, the Golden Eagles (5-0, 0-0 PSAC) responded with a reverse sweep to remain undefeated in the 2023 season. Despite the loss, DU recorded more kills than CU (53 compared to 50) and a better-hitting percentage (.236 compared to .188). The Panthers also had just one less point in the match (97) as opposed to the Golden Eagles (98).

Davenport jumped out to a quick 5-1 lead to begin the first set as Emma Turnquist had two kills early. The Golden Eagles came back to tie the set at six apiece before the Panthers went on a 6-1 run to take a 12-7 lead. Moments later, DU had a 5-1 run which was capped off by a Stephanie Kalinowski ace to give the Panthers a 19-12 lead, forcing CU to take a timeout. Lindsay Taylor slammed the final kill of the set, giving Davenport the victory.

The Panthers continued the momentum into set two, where they finished with a staggering .600 hitting percentage. DU finished the second set with 16 kills as opposed to nine for CU. Davenport set the tone from the jump, garnering a 4-0 lead to start the set. Taylor had three kills down the stretch to account for three of the Panthers' final four points, lifting them to a double-digit victory.

An early deficit at the beginning of the third set proved to be insurmountable for DU. After going down by six to start the set, the Panthers clawed their way back within two (19-17). However, the Golden Eagles took four of the last five points to win their first set of the match. Clarion continued that momentum into the fourth set, winning by nine points to force a fifth and final set.

Sydney Swan had two kills to help boost the Panthers to an 8-6 advantage in the final set. However, the Golden Eagles went on an 8-2 rally to take a 14-10 lead and ultimately took the final set from the Panthers.

Taylor led the Panthers with a double-double, registering 16 kills and 17 digs in the loss. Turnquist recorded 12 kills and two blocks, while Swan chipped in with 10 kills and five digs. Lexie Beeke tallied a team-high 23 assists as well as two aces and six digs whle Nicole Odeen finished with 21 assists.

Match 2 vs. Ursuline
Result: W, 3-0 (-10, -12, -22)
How it Happened
After an early back-and-forth start to the first set, the Panthers dominated down the stretch. Davenport finished the set on a 14-1 rally to take the first set and gain a 1-0 advantage in the match. Swan had four kills during the set-winning rally which was capped off by an ace from Kalinowski. DU finished the set with 15 kills, holding the Arrows (0-6, 0-0 G-MAC) to two and to a -.167 hitting percentage.

The Panthers started the second set with a 5-0 rally which was sparked by a kill from Turnquist. UC responded with a pair of points before DU went on another 5-0 run set in motion by the setter Odeen as she dumped the ball over the net. The Panthers ended the set in controlling fashion, outscoring the Arrows 9-2 to close it out.

After trailing majority of the final set, Davenport took a late lead (22-21) off an attack error from UC. Taylor had a kill to put the Panthers one point away from the sweep. The set ended on an attack error from Ursuline as the Arrows tallied 11 in the third set.

Swan and Turnquist finished the match with a match-high in kills with seven. Taylor finished with five kills, three aces, and seven digs. Defensively, Kalinowski led the way with 15 kills, while Turnquist and Lilly LaFleur each had 1.5 blocks.

Up Next
The Panthers return to Allendale, Mich. on Saturday (Sept. 9) for day two of the 2023 Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Classic at Grand Valley State University. Davenport will take on Colorado Christian at 10 a.m. followed by Tiffin at 1 p.m. to conclude the tournament.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Lexie Beeke: S; 5' 8"; Senior

#12 Stephanie Kalinowski: L; 5' 3"; Graduate Student

#19 Lilly LaFleur: MB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#6 Nicole Odeen: S; 5' 7"; Senior

#7 Lindsay Taylor: OH; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

#16 Emma Turnquist: OH/RS; 6' 2"; Junior

#3 Sydney Swan: OH; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#5 Lexie Beeke
: 5' 8"; Senior
: S

#12 Stephanie Kalinowski
: 5' 3"; Graduate Student
: L

#19 Lilly LaFleur
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MB

#6 Nicole Odeen
: 5' 7"; Senior
: S

#7 Lindsay Taylor
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: OH

#16 Emma Turnquist
: 6' 2"; Junior
: OH/RS

#3 Sydney Swan
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: OH