GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Davenport defeated Roosevelt in straight sets Friday night at the DU Student Center, winning 25-18, 25-14 and 25-22. The Panthers finished with 40 kills and seven service aces while hitting .342.
Kaitlyn Marsh returned to the court for the first time in more than a year after an injury and recorded a kill in the second set. It was an emotional moment for Marsh as she competed alongside her teammates again.
Abby Alan led Davenport with 14 kills and a service ace.
Amelia Werner finished with eight kills on nine attempts without an error, hitting .889 and adding four block assists.
Keira Dommer recorded 23 assists, seven digs and an ace, while
Hayley Carr contributed nine digs and two aces. Roosevelt totaled 27 kills and hit .184.
Davenport pulled away late in the first set after Roosevelt cut its lead to 16-15. The Panthers scored seven consecutive points, getting kills from Werner, Alan,
Savanah Weathers and Dommer, along with an Alan ace, to move ahead 23-15. Werner's kill later brought Davenport to set point, and Weathers finished the 25-18 win with an ace.
The Panthers used another strong run in the second set, winning seven of eight points to turn a 9-7 lead into a 16-8 advantage. Alan and Werner contributed kills during the stretch, while Werner and Weathers combined for a block.
Karley Pretzer,
Rachel Youngblood and Marsh added kills as Davenport extended its lead. Alan put down two more late in the set before Weathers closed the 25-14 victory with a kill.
Roosevelt kept the third set close, rallying from an early 9-6 deficit and eventually taking a 20-18 lead. Davenport fought back but trailed again at 22-21 before scoring the final four points. A Lakers service error tied the score, and a block by Weathers and
Werner put the Panthers ahead. Following another Roosevelt attack error, Werner's final kill secured the 25-22 win and completed the sweep.
Davenport will look to carry its momentum into a key GLIAC matchup against Saginaw Valley State in University Center, with first serve scheduled for 5 p.m.
