ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Grace's volleyball team wrapped up its opening weekend with a 3-1 record at the Concordia Tournament.
The Lady Lancers lost to Siena Heights in three sets but ended Saturday with a 3-1 win over the host Concordia.
In the opening match on Saturday, Grace dropped a hard-fought battle against Siena Heights. The Lady Lancers outhit the Saints (2-0) 44 kills to 41, but the Saints hit at a .263 percentage as Grace struggled to slow down their attack.
Grace had more kills in each of the first two sets but was unable to win either game; Siena Heights won 25-20 and 25-17.
With their backs against the wall, the Lady Lancers put up a fight. The third set went long past regulation, but the Saints pulled away late 32-30.
Sierra Smith led all players with 14 kills on a .458 percentage, and Taylor Baird racked up 38 assists, 2 aces, 5 digs and 2 block assists.
Kelsee Zuidema finished with nine kills, and Kari Feddema had seven. Sara Miller had a match-high 17 digs, and Caylie Teel notched 10.
Grace finished the weekend on a strong note by beating the host Concordia in four sets.Â
The opening game set a dominant tone for Grace with a 25-11 win. Concordia was held to five kills on a -.103 hitting percentage.
Concordia responded with a 25-22 victory in the second set, but Grace closed out the match 25-18 and 25-23.Â
The Lady Lancers implemented a two-set attack of Baird (25 assists) and Alexa Hill (16 assists, eight digs). Grace responded by putting four players in double digits for kills.
Tori Bontrager impressed with 11 kills on a .524 percentage to go along with two solo blocks and three block assists. Smith added 10 kills, 1 solo and 2 block assists, and Zuidema and Marta Bleed each notched 10 kills.
Kaitlin Kerrigan finished with 14 digs and three aces, and Teel produced a match-high 16 digs.
Baird was named to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the weekend. She racked up 109 assists in 13 sets.
The Lady Lancers will prepare for their season opener next Saturday against IU Kokomo at 1 p.m.
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