Volleyball Dominates Concordia in WHAC Tournament Play-In Game
UM-Dearborn takes on No. 1 Aquinas in the quarterfinal round of the WHAC Tournament on Wednesday (Nov. 13).
DEARBORN, Mich. -- In a must-win game for both teams, the University of Michigan-Dearborn volleyball squad delivered a strong performance, sweeping Concordia University (MI) 3-0 in the WHAC Tournament play-in round. The Wolverines came out on top with set scores of 25-14, 25-21, and 25-20, advancing to the Quarterfinals on Wednesday.
First Set: Wolverines Find Their Groove
UM-Dearborn started the match on fire, taking the first set 25-14. A stellar performance led the Wolverines' offense from senior hitter Kielee Tondryk, who racked up six kills in the opening set, hitting a blistering .517 for the match. Tondryk's presence at the net was a difference-maker, as she consistently pressured the Concordia defense.
Despite Concordia's efforts to stay competitive, including a few timely kills from Breann June and Claudia Grepke, the Wolverines were too much in the first set. They managed to keep Concordia at bay with strong defensive plays, particularly from libero Kenzie Mertz, who finished the match with almost 30 digs and played a key role in keeping rallies alive.
Second Set: Battling for Control
The second set was more tightly contested, but UM-Dearborn never let up. After Concordia threatened to rally, the Wolverines held steady with a balanced offensive attack. The set ended 25-21 in UM-Dearborn's favor, with Tondryk continuing to be the go-to player on offense, adding seven more kills.
While Concordia's Grepke and Breann June both put up solid individual numbers, combining for 14 kills in the match, the team struggled with consistency. They were held to a .037 hitting percentage in the second set, which made it challenging to sustain offensive pressure against UM-Dearborn's strong blocking and defensive efforts. The Wolverines' ability to stay aggressive on offense and defense allowed them to close out the second set without relinquishing control.
Third Set: Wolverines Finish Strong
By the third set, UM-Dearborn had already established dominance, and they weren't about to let up. They closed ohe match 25-20, with Tondryk again leading the charge. She finished the set with eight kills, bringing her total to 16 for the match. The Wolverines hit a respectable .263 in the final set to seal the win or go home victory.
Concordia continued to fight hard, but the Wolverines' offense was just too much to overcome. Concordia struggled with its passing, contributing to many errors, and could never quite find its rhythm to mount a comeback.
Standout Performers:
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Kielee Tondryk stood out in the match, finishing with 16 kills and an impressive .517 hitting percentage. Her offensive firepower was the driving force behind UM-Dearborn's sweep, and her presence on the court made it difficult for Concordia to gain momentum.
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Regan Rose was a defensive dynamo, recording a double-double with 10 digs and 30 assists.
- Kenzie Mertz was unstoppable in defense, as she had 26 digs in a three-set match.
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Abigail Goldobin and Alyssa Evans each contributed 6 and 4 kills, respectively, helping round out a well-balanced offensive attack for UM-Dearborn.
