The Tigers took the court for the first Mideast Region game against the Eagles of Alice Lloyd College of Pippa Passes, Kentucky.
Solid defense and serve receive passing kept the Tigers on track throughout the match. As the match progressed, the team regrouped from uncharacteristically slow start on offensive and took three wins for their first victory of regional play with scores of 25-17, 25-16, 25-20.
"It took us a little bit to shake off the travel dust but we got our bearings and were able to refocus," Coach Becky Karsten said. "As a testament to the team's drive, they came out much stronger offensively during the second match."
Notable Team contributions against Alice Lloyd College: Total 39 kills, 31 set assists, 8 Aces.
The second match of the day was against the host school – Appalachian Bible College of Mount Hope, West Virginia.
Setter Ashley Bearden set the pace (and collected 57 set assists on the day) as Grace showed renewed offensive hunger. The Tigers earned a stunning 16 kills during the first set of match two alone and elevated every level of their game to again take three straight wins with scores of 25-13, 25-21, 25-14.
"It feels good to start with two wins, and we look forward to what tomorrow brings," Coach Becky Karsten said. "We will take every match as it comes and give our best efforts together."
Notable contributions against ABC: 33 total Kills; Adrianna Bunce with 10, Meagan Pifer and Melinda Thomas with 7 each. Total 41 digs among the Tiger defense – Bunce 9, Robin Gould 8, Emma Summerfield and Ashley Bearden with 7. Total of 9 Aces; 2 each for Bearden Summerfield and Kylee Maat.
Game ball was awarded to
Amy Leszinske for her consistent block touches (including 2 solo stuff-blocks), 10 kills, 16 digs, 3 aces. Her aggressive back row defense and excellent serve receive helped lead the Tigers to victory.
