WINONA LAKE, Ind. - "Home sweet home" rang true for Grace's volleyball team on Saturday as the Lady Lancers swept both their opponents at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.
Grace's 3-0 wins over Point Park, who is receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25, and St. Ambrose gave the Lady Lancers the championship of the season-opening Grace College Classic. Tori Bontrager was named the Tournament MVP, and Laken Chaney and Sara Miller were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Head coach Katie Van Hofwegen began her coaching career with a perfect 4-0 weekend for the Lady Lancers. Grace also defeated IU-East and Trinity Christian on Friday in the tournament.
The opening match on Saturday produced Grace's first sweep of the season. St. Ambrose did not have an answer for Grace's offensive firepower. The Lady Lancers pounded out 42 kills on a .250 attack percentage en route to the sweep.
The second set proved to be the closest. Grace trailed 19-17 before rallying with four straight points to force a timeout by the Fighting Bees (2-1). The break did not work, however, as Grace cruised to a 25-22 win. The Lady Lancers won the first set 25-17 and the third set 25-18.
Tori Bontrager and Kelsee Zuidema led Grace's attack. Bontrager finished with 12 kills on a .579 percentage, and Zuidema had 11 kills on just 16 attempts; both players also served two aces.
Laken Chaney handed out 35 assists to go along with solo block and block assist, and Sara Miller recorded a match-best 14 digs. Megan Johnson (nine digs), Alix Underwood (one solo block, one block assist) and Annie Salazar (eight digs) contributed on the defensive end.
In the final match of the tournament, Grace's defense carried the team to a sweep over Point Park. The Pioneers were held to a .064 team hitting percentage as Grace won 25-12, 25-22 and 25-21.
Chaney concluded an impressive tournament with 31 assists in three sets, leading Grace to nine more kills than Point Park. Grace Woolsey finished with eight kills on 14 attempts, adding two solo blocks and two block assists.
Underwood had seven kills on a .455 percentage, and Caylie Teel notched five kills and six digs. Miller led all players with 13 digs, and Megan Johnson tallied six digs and two block assists.
The Lady Lancers return to action next weekend at the Lindsey Wilson Tournament in Kentucky.
