GOSHEN, Ind. – The Maple Leafs played three close sets against #9 Indiana Tech – two of them were just a two-point margin. However, the Warriors won three sets to none (25-23, 27-25, 25-20) and moved to 8-0 this season.
 
The teams traded points for a while to start the first set, but Indiana Tech slowly moved to a 12-9 lead. Goshen scored the following four points to take a 13-12 lead thanks to Christian Rodriguez and Ian Fox blocks. Once the Warriors had tied the set at 14, the Leafs went on another run to lead 20-15. But after Goshen scored four straight, Indiana Tech scored four straight. More back and forth action ensued until they were tied at 23. Then a Goshen service error and a Warriors ace ended the first set, with Indiana Tech winning 25-23.
 
The Maple Leafs led early in the second, 4-1. But the teams stayed tight until it was 23-23 again. A kill by Rodriguez put Goshen at set point, but the Warriors answered with two points to take a one-point lead. Another kill by Rodriguez tied it up, but Indiana Tech took the next two and won the set 27-25.
 
The third and final set of the match was controlled by Goshen early on. GC had an 11-5 lead, but the Warriors took their first lead of the set at 17-16. The visitors scored 12 of the last 16 points and took the set 25-20.
 
Despite the loss, head coach Lauren Ford was happy with the team's complete turnaround from their loss on Friday. "I'm glad we regrouped and came out and competed," she said. "That's all a coach can ask for."
 
The Maple Leafs offense was led by Lucas Sauder's 12 kills and Alexander Rabadzhiev's 11. Michael Wahl had 34 assists and six digs for the match. Rodriguez had seven kills and nine digs, hitting at a .313 clip.
 
"We did some really nice things, but we really want to focus on the little things as we move forward," Ford said. "Sometimes they make a world of difference."
 
This is the fourth sweep of the season for Indiana Tech – the 2021 WHAC co-champions. Daynte Stewart recorded 17 kills tonight and leads the NAIA with 118 this season. Joey Hermes had ten digs tonight and leads the NAIA in that category with 82. Goshen's Brayton Yoder is second with 79.
 
Goshen has another home match this Saturday, January 29. At 3:00 pm, you can watch the Maple Leafs take on Siena Heights in another WHAC matchup.
 
Ford shared that she loved the atmosphere in Gunden tonight. Let's see it again on Saturday!