Anderson Captures Four-Set HCAC Win against Grizzlies

The Anderson University volleyball team captured a 23-25, 25-17, 26-24, 25-20 win against Franklin College on Saturday in O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.

"We are so proud of this team," Coach Tami Miller said. "They set out determined to beat Franklin and did just that."

The first set was a back-and-forth battle between the Ravens (8-8, 1-0) and the Grizzlies (8-10, 0-1). Franklin led the majority of the set, but neither team held more than a 3-point lead. Anderson tied the set at 23-all, but Franklin posted kills on the final two points to take the first set. The Grizzlies finished with a .233 attack percentage for the first set.

Lauren Dungan (Alexandria, Ind. / Alexandria-Monroe) started for the Ravens beginning with the second set. For the second set, the two teams remained within two points up through an 11-11 tie. The Ravens rattled off the next eight points to take a 19-11 lead. Anderson scored the final four points of the set to win 25-17. Anderson racked up a .393 attack percentage and held Franklin to a .037 hitting percentage.

The third set was once against back-and-forth and the early part of the set. Following a 16-16 tie, the Grizzlies scored four points in a row. The Ravens responded by scoring four consecutive points of their own. Anderson grinded out a 26-24 win in the third set with Felicity Bontrager (Goshen, Ind. / Fairfield) getting the match-point kill. The Grizzlies were held to a hitting percentage of .038 in the third set.

During the fourth set, both teams made their way to an 11-11 score. Franklin scored three points, but Anderson responded with the next three points. After a 14-14 tie, the Ravens began to pull away from the Grizzlies. Olivia Ricica (Bryan, Ohio / Fairview) produced a couple of critical kills. The Ravens eventually sealed a 25-20 win in the fourth set to clinch the match.

"We had some great play off the bench from Lauren Dungan and late in the match from Olivia Ricica."

Anderson put together a .205 hitting percentage while Franklin turned in a .108 attack percentage.

Bontrager contributed 13 kills and a .414 attack percentage to lead the Ravens. Shaylen Perry (Eaton, Ohio / Eaton) provided 10 kills and a .348 hitting percentage.

"The middle hitters continued to put pressure on Franklin and score points for us."

Tess Perdue (Lexington, Ky. / West Jessamine) tallied 11 kills while Jimena Montano (Algonquin, Ill. / Harvest Christian Academy) recorded 10 kills and a .304 attack percentage. Dungan also added six kills. Kaycie Gates (Newburgh, Ind. / Castle) dished out 24 assists and delivered four service aces. Kate Todd (Festus, Mo. / Festus) also contributed 20 assists.

Brooke Troyer (Elkhart, Ind. / Elkhart Memorial) scattered 18 digs while Ally Hall (Pendleton, Ind. / Pendleton Heights) collected 16 digs. Bontrager racked up seven kills while Montano notched five blocks.

"Our backcourt was relentless and kept us in plays with their scrappy defense. We had some good stuff blocks from our frontcourt that assisted in our defensive prowess. It was overall a great team effort."

The Ravens battle Defiance College (2-9, 0-1) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Defiance, Ohio.