GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport University women's volleyball team returned home to co-host the 2025 Hampton Inn and Suites. The Panthers (3-3, 0-0 GLIAC) split on the opening day at the DU Student Center.

Match One vs. Tiffin
Result: W, 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-20)
How it Happened
Highlighted by a .533 hitting percentage in the second set, DU controlled the majority of the match against the Dragons ().

DU opened the first set with a strong start, featuring an early kill by Abby Alan, assisted by Madison Berry, setting the tone for the Panthers. Despite some exchanges of points in the middle of the set, the Panthers capitalized on TU's errors, including a crucial ball handling error by Parker Vackert, to widen the lead to six (14-8). The Panthers maintained momentum with Alan and Jordan contributing key kills, and a block by Kaitlin Jordan and Morgan Tydings ended the set decisively at 25-17 in favor of Davenport.

The second set began with Tiffin's Maggie Pavlansky serving an ace, but Davenport quickly responded with Kaitlyn Marsh securing a kill from Berry's assist at 1-1. DU then took control with a series of successful plays, including two back-to-back kills by Marsh, extending their lead to 4-1. Berry played a pivotal role, orchestrating the offense with multiple assists, helping Alan and Jordan contribute crucial points. The Panthers maintained their momentum, and despite a brief Tiffin rally, Davenport secured the set 25-20, with Tydings delivering the final kill from Berry's setup.

Davenport secured a 25-20 victory in the third set. Jordan made an impact with four kills, including one at 11-12, which set in motion a 5-1 DU rally. Alan also contributed significantly, with decisive kills at 10-10 and 24-20, while Berry provided steady support with multiple assists in the closing stages to finish the match.

Kaitlin Jordan led the Davenport offense with 12 kills on 21 attempts, while finishing with a .524 hitting percentage. Abby Alan contributed 13 kills and added five digs to the team's defensive efforts. Madison Berry orchestrated the attack with 39 assists, while Hayley Carr recorded 12 digs and one service ace to support the defensive line.

Match Two vs. Findlay 
Result: L, 3-1 (23-25, 31-29, 25-20,  25-22)
How it Happened
It was a match in which saw four Panthers eclipse double-digit kills and two secure double-doubles. Alan finished with 14 kills and 10 digs, while Berry added 41 assists and 14 digs. Pretzer added 13 kills, Jordan ended with 12 kills and five total blocks and Marsh chipped in with 10 kills in the loss. Julia Frederick ended the match with career-highs in digs (12) and service aces (three).

Alan secured the opening point for the Panthers with a kill assisted by Berry. Despite an early 4-1 deficit, Davenport rebounded with a critical 7-1 run, highlighted by Marsh's kill, turning the momentum in their favor. The set remained tightly contested, reaching a 23-23 tie, but a kill from Jordan and Alan's service ace clinched the set for Davenport, 25-23.

The second set featured a dramatic and closely contested battle, culminating in a narrow 31-29 victory for the Oilers. Trailing by one (23-22) late, a kill on a setter dump by Berry set in motion a 5-3 Davenport run, putting them up 26-25 and on the brink of going up 2-0 in the match. However, DU could not gain the two point lead, after multiple ties in extra play,  the Oilers eventually pulled out the two-point victory.

Davenport began the third set with momentum, quickly taking a 3-0 lead thanks to a service ace by Maggie Juncaj and a block by Jordan and Berry. Alan contributed two key kills early on, keeping the home team competitive. Despite Davenport's efforts, including a service ace by Frederick that closed the gap to 11-10, the Oilers responded with a decisive mid-set run. Emma White facilitated the Oilers' attack, and Zoya Winkelfoos served an ace, extending their advantage. Madison Berry's consistent setting led to a late rally, highlighted by Kaitlyn Marsh's kills, but Davenport ultimately fell short, with the Oilers sealing the set 25-20.

In the fourth set, Davenport was resilient, closing the score gap multiple times. Jordan and Alan each delivered key kills, with Alan capitalizing on a set from Berry. Despite a service ace from Frederick that pushed the score to 9-9, the Oilers maintained a narrow lead. Key defensive plays, including blocks by Jordan and Morgan Tydings, kept Davenport in contention, but the Oilers ultimately secured the set 25-22 with a final point from a questionable call on a setting error.

Kaitlin Jordan recorded 12 kills and 5 blocks, contributing 17 points for Davenport. Maggie Juncaj excelled with a 1.0 hitting percentage and added 16 digs. Madison Berry accumulated 41 assists, while Hayley Carr collected 20 digs for the team.

Up Next
The Panthers will return to action tomorrow (Sept. 13) hosting No. 16 Gannon at 3 p.m. at the DU Student Center to close out the tournament.