Box Score

GOSHEN, Ind. - In the women's volleyball home opener against the Marian University Knights, the Maple Leafs fought hard, but ultimately lost 25-15, 25-21, 25-15.

The Leafs started the first set hot, getting out to a six point lead with the score at 7-1. The Knights then went on an 8-1 run to tie the game at 9, eventually taking a two point lead. The Leafs fought hard and kept the score within two until the Knights pulled away late and ultimately won the set.

As has been the case in Goshen's games of late, both teams started set two evenly, exchanging points until the game was tied at 7. Later in the set, the teams were tied at 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19. From there, the Knights pulled away and took the victory in the set. 

It was Marian who got out to a fast start in the third set. The Knights held a 12-3 advantage and remained in control of the set. The Leafs put together a 4-0 run to keep them within touching distance, but the Knights put together a 6-0 run to bring the game to match point, before a GC attack error secured the victory for the Knights.

Three Leafs recorded two aces on the night, including Jessie Price who is now only one shy of her total from last year with most the season left to play. Carle Bruggema and Bri Morris also picked up two. Ava Schneider, though not the kill leader, trailed by only one to the highest hitters and was .500 on the night. 

Despite the loss, Leafs head coach, Jeff Phillips, sees a lot of potential within his group of players. "When we're good, we're plenty good enough," said Phillips. "But there's that part of volleyball, where you can give up a run of four or five points on four or five mental errors, physical errors. In a set of volleyball that makes a massive difference."

The Leaf freshmen have already left their mark on the team, one of which is Morris — she has stepped into the setter role after injuries to Sydney Stutsman and Kelsie Hankins. "We are incredibly excited about her being able to get some live reps in, even if it wasn't the original plan. That will only help us move forward," Phillips said. 

The Leafs play in Lima, Ohio at the University of Northwestern Ohio Tri-Match. Phillips wants his players to play with the same tenacity they played with against the Knights at the tournament. "The takeaway from this match is to look across the net and go 'that's Marian. That's a team that we struggle with and we played them tough tonight," Phillips said. "Basically, what we said was we're going to go to Ohio and play Marian twice, regardless of who's on the other side of the net."

The Maple Leafs are back in action to take on the University of Northwestern Ohio and Governors State University at the UNOH on September 5 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.