Posted: Aug 25, 2023
MACOMB, Ill. - The Cleveland State volleyball team opened up the 2023 campaign Friday, picking up a five-set victory over Murray State and a straight-set victory against Western Illinois at the Leatherneck Classic.
During the first match of the day, the Vikings traded sets with Murray State, eventually forcing a fifth a deciding frame.
After a back-and-forth start to the set, the Vikings were able to tally four straight points to gain a 10-3 advantage following a pair of blocks, a Liberty Torres kill and a Murray State error.
The Vikings then held the momentum throughout the rest of the frame, closing out the set by posting three of the final four points, including a Laken Voss kill for the final point of the match.
Against the Racers, Voss led the Vikings with 14 kills and 17 digs, while Torres added 10 kills and Emma Walker (14 digs) and Lesley Marshall (12) both recorded double-digit digs. In addition, the Vikings combined for 11 service aces on the match, including five from Madalynn Butler, while Cleveland State posted 12.0 total team blocks on the match, with 10 from Madison Olinger.
Reilly Wadden made her collegiate debut against Murray State, finishing with nine digs.
The Vikings then earned a convincing 3-0 victory against Western Illinois, improving to 2-0 on the day.
After picking up 25-16 and 25-20 victories in the first two sets, the Vikings opened the third frame with a 7-1 advantage following a Wadden service ace. Cleveland State then extended its lead to 12-4 on a Torres kill, before a 7-0 run gave the Vikings a 20-7 edge on a Voss kill.
The Vikings then closed out the frame with a trio of Western Illinois errors and two Voss kills for the 25-8 set victory.
Karly Klaer led the Vikings with 27 assists and 12 digs on the match, while Voss added 16 kills and Walker had a team-best 15 digs. For the second straight match the Vikings combined for double-digit team blocks (10.0), including seven from Olinger.
JeriLynn Koehler made her collegiate debut against Western Illinois, recording four kills and two blocks.
Cleveland State will close out the Leatherneck Classic tomorrow, facing Tennessee State at 1:00 p.m. EST.
