DENVER, Colo. – The No. 14 Angelo State University volleyball team split its two matches Saturday at the Colorado Premier Challenge, sweeping Lewis in the Gold Bracket before falling to No. 5 Ferris State in the championship match at Regis Field House.
With the results, the Belles move to 8-1 on the season and finish second at the Colorado Premier Challenge.
Prior to the tournament's conclusion, organizers MSU Denver and Regis announced the all-tournament team, with
Sydney Thornton and
Madi Parrish earning spots for their performances throughout the weekend, as selected by the participating schools' head coaches.
MATCH EIGHT: vs. Lewis – W, 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-23)
The Belles overcame early deficits in each of the three sets before completing the sweep of Lewis.
Angelo State controlled the statistical battle throughout the match, outhitting the Flyers .274 to .196 while holding advantages in aces (5-2), blocks (4-3), assists (44-34) and digs (57-41).
Three Belles recorded double-digit kills, led by
Julia Hopkins with 11 kills while hitting .417. Parrish and Thornton added 10 kills apiece.
Gabi Ashcraft and
Olivia Pena split the setting duties, combining for 36 assists to keep the Belles' offense moving.
Thornton led Angelo State with two block assists, while Parrish,
Hannah Barnhill,
Leah Klueber and
Vivian Parker each added a block assist.
Alli Kirkpatrick recorded a solo block.
Three Belles also reached double figures in digs, led by Parrish with 14.
Allie Duitsman added 12 digs, while Hopkins finished with 11.
MATCH NINE: vs. No. 5 Ferris State – L, 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-19)
The Belles battled No. 5 Ferris State throughout the championship match, holding early leads in the opening set before a late Bulldogs rally gave Ferris State the first frame.
Ferris State controlled the final two sets, hitting .417 in the second set and .432 in the third to complete the sweep and hand the Belles their first loss of the season.
Angelo State hit .194 as a team and held a 6-2 advantage in service aces.
Hopkins led the Belles with nine kills, followed by Parrish with seven. Thornton and Klueber each added five kills.
Pena led ASU's setters with 15 assists, while Ashcraft added 13 assists and a team-high two service aces.
Duitsman paced the Belles defensively with 11 digs, while Ashcraft and Parrish each recorded eight.
The Belles will close out nonconference play by hosting the Lone Star Conference Challenge at the Junell Center/Stephens Arena. Angelo State will face West Texas A&M Thursday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. before taking on Lubbock Christian Saturday, Sept. 12, at 2 p.m.
