The evidence that John Carroll's non-conference schedule has stepped up in class a few levels can be found in the first two national rankings posted by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Last weekend, the Blue Streaks faced the #2 and #23 ranked teams.
In Wisconsin this weekend, John Carroll faced the #6 ranked team and one sitting just outside the top 25.
At the Pointers Invitational hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the Blue Streaks won one of four matches but came away with valuable experience -- especially in a tense five-set match Friday night with the undefeated and sixth-ranked host school.
After a sluggish start to their tournament run (a sweep at the hands of Ripon College), the Blue Streaks squared off against UWSP. The Pointers -- who did not drop a game in any of their other matches in the tournament -- were stunned by John Carroll 25-20 in the opening game. UWSP responded by winning the next two games by identical 25-19 scores and seemed in control. But the Blue Streaks refused to go quietly and opened up a 17-11 lead in game four. The hosts stormed back and had two match points against JCU but kills by
Sarah Orlandi and
Julianne McGervey staved off the finale.Â
Orlandi then gave JCU a 27-26 lead on a kill, then served the winning point for the Blue Streaks as an attack error gave the Blue Streaks a 28-26 win to force a game five.
The Blue Streaks led as late as 9-7 in the final set, but a 6-0 run by the Pointers would prove fatal. JCU closed to within 13-12 but UWSP ultimately prevailed 15-12.
Alexa Webber had 17 kills and Orlandi added 15 in the match.
Kit O'Shaughnessy had 47 assists and
Katie Cosker had a team-high 30 digs.
John Carroll started out fast on Saturday, sweeping Hamline for what would be their lone victory of the tourney. The Blue Streaks had a .250 hitting eprcentage for the match, as Orlandi paced the attack with 12 kills.
JCU concluded their two day stay in Stevens Point with a three-set loss to Bethel (MN), a team with a 9-1 record that is on the cusp of the top 25. The Blue Streaks had their best chance in game two, racing out to a 9-4 lead and serving for the set at 24-23, but Bethel held on for a 28-26 triumph.
Through nine matches, John Carroll is now 3-6 on the season. The nine opponents JCU has faced are a combined 50-26, with three teams (Case Reserve, Emory and UWSP) undefeated on the season.
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