BOURBONNAIS, Ill. - Grace's volleyball team earned a split on the final day of the season-opening Olivet Nazarene Tournament on Saturday.

The Lancers finish the weekend with a record of 3-1, falling to Cumberland (receiving votes in NAIA) and beating the hosts Olivet Nazarene 3-1.

In the opening match of the day versus Cumberland, Grace struck first. The Lancers used a key 7-1 run to surge ahead in the first set, aided by two kills apiece from Carsyn Witt and Callie Jo Celichowski.

Grace maintained a comfortable cushion and eased away to a 25-16 win.

Cumberland struck back with a 25-17 win in the second game then won again in the third set 25-22. The Lancers trailed 17-12 in the third set but rallied to jump ahead 18-17. 

The Phoenix managed to regain momentum, however, and eked out a three-point win. 

The fourth set was closely contested. Grace found itself in a 21-17 hole, but a timeout sparked Grace's offense. The Lancers won three of the next four points to pull close, but Cumberland responded with three points in a row to clinch the match 25-20.
Grace finished the match with nearly as many kills (50) as Cumberland (52), and Grace hit at a higher percentage as a team (.211) percentage. The Lancers also had four more digs (67-63) but three fewer blocks (7-4).

Levyn Snow tallied a team-high 11 kills, Celichowski had 10 kills on a .391 percentage, and Anna Elkin notched nine kills with 10 digs.

Witt passed out 33 assists with 10 digs, Liz Schmidt had a match-high 23 digs, Emma Blackford added 11 digs, and Reagan Owens aced twice.

The second match saw Grace put itself in an early hole against the tournament hosts. Olivet Nazarene scored the first six points of the match. Grace managed to erase the deficit but ran out of gas at the end and fell 25-20.

Set two again had Grace behind early; ONU was in a dangerous position, holding a seemingly comfortable 19-13 lead.

But the Lancers produced a furious rally. Grace trailed 23-18, but the visitors won eight of the next nine points to stun the Tigers. Grace staved off two set points and ended the set on a kill from Witt to win 26-24.

The momentum carried into the third set. Grace's attack came to life, roaring to a 25-16 win. Grace's offense racked up 16 kills on four errors for a team attack percentage of .353.

Grace scored the first four points of the fourth set, but ONU quickly evened the scoreboard. The Tigers managed to pull in front 19-17 with their backs against the wall. 

But the Lancers countered with a kill from Snow and an ace from Molly Hofmann. Another kill by Snow and an ace by Anna Elkin continued Grace's surge, and the Lancers ended the match 25-22 thanks to a kill by Leffring.

Snow and Olivia Martinez tied for team honors with 11 kills each, and Leah Henderson collected nine kills.

Witt flirted with a triple-double with 35 assists, 18 digs and 7 kills, Celichowski had six kills and two blocks, and Schmidt recorded 14 digs.

The Lancers will travel to Florida next weekend for another four-match tournament, hosted by Keiser.