Davenport University Athletics

FINDLAY, Ohio - The Davenport University women's volleyball team opened its 2026 season with a split Friday at the Findlay Classic. After falling 3-1 to Ashland in the afternoon, the Panthers responded with an impressive 3-1 upset of tournament host Findlay in the nightcap.

Abby Alan began her senior campaign with 31 kills and four aces across the two matches. Karley Pretzer added 27 kills on the day. Jaide Wirth added 15 kills while hitting .462 against Ashland and .533 against Findlay.

Match One vs. Ashland
Result: L, 3-1 (21-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-25)
How it Happened
Davenport grabbed control midway through the opening set, using kills from Alan and Amelia Werner to build a 12-7 advantage. Ashland steadily chipped away at the deficit and pulled even at 16 before overtaking DU down the stretch. Late swings from Wirth and Mariya Montgomery kept the Panthers within striking distance, but the Eagles held on for a 25-21 win.

DU raced out to a 4-0 lead in the second behind a kill from Madison Berry and an ace by Hayley Carr. Ashland eventually found its rhythm and moved in front 23-18, putting the Panthers on the verge of a two-set deficit.

Davenport answered with six of the next seven points. Berry's ace and a block by Alan and Montgomery highlighted the late surge, which pulled DU even at 24. The Eagles regrouped and won the next two rallies to take the set, 26-24.

The Panthers carried that fight into the third, scoring the first three points behind an ace from Alan and consecutive kills by Rachel Youngblood and Alan. Keira Dommer later found the floor from the service line as DU stretched its lead to 7-3.

Ashland rallied to tie the score at 23, but Davenport did not surrender the lead. Werner put the Panthers back in front with a kill, and an Eagle attack sailed out on the following rally to give DU the set, 25-23.

The Eagles took control of the fourth with a lengthy run after Davenport had pulled within 10-9. The Panthers were unable to close the gap, and Ashland finished off the match with a 25-15 victory.

Alan paced DU with 15 kills on 35 attempts. Pretzer added 14 kills, while Wirth put away seven swings with a .462 hitting percentage. Berry handed out 21 assists and chipped in three kills and an ace.

Match Two vs. Findlay
Result: W, 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 27-25, 25-20)
How it Happened
Davenport shook off its afternoon loss and played from in front for much of the opening set against the host Oilers. Alan and Pretzer supplied the offense, while Montgomery and Livi Overbeek teamed up for a key block as the Panthers began to create separation. Alan put the finishing touch on the 25-22 win with an ace.

Findlay built a 6-3 edge in the second, but DU remained close behind kills from Wirth and Werner. The Panthers eventually erased the deficit when Montgomery's kill tied the score at 18. The Oilers answered by claiming seven of the final 10 points to even the match with a 25-21 decision.

The third set provided the turning point of the night. Findlay held a 23-19 lead and was two points away from moving ahead in the match when Davenport mounted its comeback. Wirth and Pretzer delivered timely kills as the Panthers fought back to even the score at 24.

With the frame tied at 25, Pretzer and Werner stuffed the Oilers at the net to give DU set point. Wirth finished the comeback on the next rally, hammering home the deciding kill for a 27-25 victory.

Davenport's blocking carried over into the fourth, beginning with a rejection by Overbeek and Montgomery on the first rally. Findlay stayed within reach and tied the score at 13, but the Panthers answered each challenge and gradually gained control.

Montgomery and Overbeek continued to make their presence felt at the net as DU pulled away late. Alan then delivered a kill and an ace during the closing stretch, helping Davenport secure the set, 25-20, and its first victory of the season.

The Panthers finished with 53 kills and held a 13-5 advantage in total blocks. Alan led the attack with 16 kills and three aces, accounting for a team-high 20 points. Wirth finished with eight kills on a .533 hitting percentage, while Montgomery registered eight total blocks. Carr anchored the back row with a match-high 23 digs.

Up Next
Davenport will close out the Findlay Classic against California (Pa.) on Saturday at 10 a.m.