The University of Maine at Presque Isle Volleyball squad opened North Atlantic Conference play Saturday morning with a doubleheader against VTSU-Johnson at Wieden Hall. The Owls battled throughout both matches, including a four-set thriller in the second match, but the Badgers ultimately swept the doubleheader.
Match 1: 3-0 Badgers
VTSU-Johnson came out strong in the opening match, taking the first set 25-17. The Owls battled offensively, but Johnson's 12 kills and .167 hitting percentage gave the Badgers the edge. The second set followed a similar pattern, with Johnson pulling away for a 25-20 victory. UMPI continued to compete, recording seven kills in the set, but the Badgers maintained control. The Owls looked to extend the match in the third set, keeping things close throughout. Johnson ultimately closed out the set 25-23 to complete the sweep. Despite the result, UMPI's serving game kept the Owls within reach, as both teams finished with seven aces. The Owls also collected 54 digs and held Johnson to just one block.
Top Performers:
Tiana Orffer led the Owls offensively with seven kills, while
Jade Anspach added six and
Rylie Kolkow finished with three.
Maubi Mateo led UMPI with four service aces, while
Evelyn Perkins added two and
Maggie Prindle contributed one.
Perkins directed the Owls' offense with 12 assists, while Mateo and Orffer each added one. Defensively, Mateo led UMPI with 13 digs, followed by Orffer with 12 and Perkins with 11.
Anspach and Kolkow each recorded a block for the Owls.
Match 2: 3-1 Badgers
The second match of the day saw the Owls come out firing. UMPI grabbed the opening set 25-20 behind a strong offensive performance, taking a 1-0 lead in the match. Johnson responded in the second set, using an 11-kill performance to even the match with a 25-20 victory. The Owls answered right back in the third, putting together their strongest offensive set of the match with 13 kills and taking a 25-18 victory to move within one set of the win. The fourth set was a battle from start to finish. UMPI continued to put pressure on Johnson, but the Badgers ultimately pulled away late to take the set 25-22 and force a deciding fifth set. With the match tied at two sets apiece, Johnson carried its momentum into the deciding set and completed the comeback with a 15-11 victory. Despite the loss, the Owls finished the match with 38 kills to Johnson's 35, while both teams recorded nine service aces. UMPI also held the advantage in points from kills and finished with 63 digs.
Top Performers:
Jade Anspach had a standout offensive performance for UMPI, leading the team with 15 kills.
Tiana Orffer followed with nine kills, while
Rylie Kolkow added five.
Orffer also led the Owls with five aces, while Kolkow recorded two and Mateo added one.
Evelyn Perkins continued to direct the offense, recording 25 assists, while Orffer added two and
Katelynne Robertson finished with one.
Defensively, Orffer led UMPI with 16 digs, followed by Robertson with 14 and Perkins with 12. Anspach and Perkins each recorded a block.
Next Up:
The Owls will hit the road for another North Atlantic Conference doubleheader on Saturday, October 10th, traveling to Lyndonville, Vermont, to take on VTSU-Lyndon. The first match is scheduled for 1:00 PM, with the second match set for 3:00 PM. UMPI will look to bounce back and pick up its first conference victory of the season.
