Racers Fall Short in Five-Set Battle with Concordia

LIMA, OH - UNOH fought back from a 2-0 deficit to force a fifth set against Concordia but got edged out in the final game 15-13 to fall 3-2 to the Cardinals.

After jumping out 2-1 early in the game one, the Racers gave up seven straight to fall behind 8-2 and could never close the gap. A 6-2 run late cut the lead to two, 23-21, but Concordia finished off the final two to take set one 25-21. UNOH controlled the early portion of the second set and held a 9-5 lead before the Cardinals stormed back with a 6-0 run to go up 11-9. The runs continued and the Racers answered with a 7-1 streak that put them back up 16-12 before Concordia used their own 5-1 run to tie the match at 17. The momentum shifted again to put UNOH back up 22-19 before the pendulum swung back a final time with the Cardinals bagging the final six of the game to steal the set and take a 2-0 lead into the break. 

The match looked like it would end in the third game as Concordia exploded to a 11-2 lead out of the gate. The Racers were not ready to concede the night riding a massive 14-2 run to take control 16-13. UNOH didn't trail again, matching step-for-step the rest of the way for a 25-21 win to force a game four. After falling behind 3-1 to start the fourth, the Racers went 6-1 to go up 7-4 and again held the lead comfortably to the end, 25-20, extending the night into a decisive game five. 

The Cardinals started strong once more taking a 5-1 lead to force an early Racer timeout. UNOH cut the lead to one, 8-7, but Concordia kept the lead going back up 11-7 to force the second timeout for the Racers. Four straight points out of the timeout tied the game 11-11 with the teams matching points again at twelve. The Cardinals threw the final blow scoring three of the final four points of the match to hold off UNOH and hand the Racers a 3-2 loss.

Logan Thomas led all players with a season high 23 kills earning her fourth double-double of 2023 with twelve digs in the match. Thomas hit .305 on the night making just five errors on a season high 59 swings with one block assist for a season high 23.5 points. Abigail Martin and Taylor Reust both had a career night for the Racers. Martin recorded 18 kills and 20 points, both career highs, with a solo block and two block assists. Reust finished with career highs in kills (12) and points (18.5) adding three service aces, three block assists and two solo blocks in the match. Elli Roetgerman hit the double-digit point mark for the third time in the last four matches putting down seven kills with four block assists and one solo block.

Savanna Reed led the match with a career high 50 assists using her versatility to register in every statistical category. Reed finished with 17 digs, three service aces, two kills, two block assists and one solo block. Bailey Gregory led the team with four service aces while also digging ten. Madelyn Hampton reset her career mark in digs from two days ago bagging twelve tonight. 

Not to be outdone, Racer libero Aubree Ricketts hit her own personal milestone in the match. Her 26 digs give her 1441 in her career, moving her into second place all-time (Kelly Oldiges - 2556) and the most ever recorded in the modern era of UNOH volleyball.

"After a slow start, we worked our butts off tonight to get back into it," head coach Josh Kreiner said following the match. "I'm extremely proud of the grit we showed coming back. We just have to find a way to make the plays at the end when it counts. We have a lot of growing to do, but fortunately, we have another opportunity at home tomorrow."

It will be UM-Dearborn visiting The Garage tomorrow with the Racers taking on the Wolverines at 1:00 PM.