GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – After falling behind two sets to one and then 10-5 in the fifth set, Cornerstone rallied to come back and defeat rival Davenport 15-12 to take the WHAC opener 3-2. The victory lifts the Golden Eagles to 5-4 on the year as they head to Madonna this weekend for the annual Julie Martin Memorial Tournament. CU will face Windsor and Saint Xavier on Friday evening.
Match Flow…
In their first league action of the season, Cornerstone faced off with their rivals down the East Beltline and came away with a thrilling five-set win. CU fell behind big in the opening set but came back strong to win 25-21. Then the tables were turned in the second as after the Golden Eagles took an 18-12 lead, the Panthers stormed back to win 27-25.
The all-important third set was controlled by the host Panthers as they cruised to a 25-17 win but Cornerstone came back strong in the fourth to win 25-19 and force a fifth set. It marked the third time in the young season CU has gone into a fifth set.
The Panthers jumped out quick and at the side change, had an 8-4 lead and they extended it to as many as five at 10-5. After a timeout from Ryan Camlbell, CU proceeded to run off five of the next six points highlighted by a pair of blocks from
Kendra Zwart and
Hope Leppink. That run forced DU to take both of their timeouts. After a point by the Panthers got them to 12-10, the Golden Eagles then took control and ultimately the match by scoring the final five points.
Quotable…
"It was an amazing win…winning the first match of conference is crucial for our team's confidence especially since we have so many new players. It allows us to realize our potential and showed how tenacious we can be even when we are down. Doing it against DU and at their place is a bonus." Junior
Hope Leppink
Notes…
- Cornerstone has now won three of the last four matches against Davenport
- It marks the second straight year CU has defeated Davenport on their home floor
- Heather Green had 17 kills and 17 digs to lead CU
- Hope Leppink finished with 43 assists, 13 digs and eight kills
- Mackenzie Vallad led CU with 28 digs while Kendra Zwart had 10 blocks
Up Next?
Cornerstone will take on Windsor (5 p.m.) and Saint Xavier (7 p.m.) on Friday at Madonna in the Julie Martin Memorial Tournament.
Volleyball Contact:
Aaron Sagraves
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