MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Regents volleyball team hit the road for the second straight day looking to win its first Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference match of the season. On Saturday, Rockford squared off against the MSOE Raiders who it has had some success against in recent history. Entering Saturday's match, the Regents held a 14-9 record against the Raiders since 1997 including a 3-2 record in NACC play. However, the Raiders were able to squeak past the Regents 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 25-21).
Each of the four sets were highly competitive with all of them being decided by four points or less. In the opening set the Raiders got off to a quick start building a 6-1 lead. Despite the early hole, the Regents continued to fight hard and were able to tie the match at five times including at 21-21. However it was the Raiders who ran off four of the final five points to take the opening set. The second set had a similar feel as the first, but this time it was the Regents who got off to a fast start. Rockford jumped out to a quick 8-1 lead thanks in large part to junior Katelyn Hasken (Lanark, Ill./Eastland). Hasken had a trio of early kills to score three of Rockford's first eight points. Just as the Regents did in the first set, the Raiders battled back to tie and eventually take the lead at 18-17. However, Rockford was able to score six of the last eight points including the final four points to even the match at one set all. The third set again followed a similar pattern with Rockford falling behind early, but the ladies were able to regroup and tie the set late at 19-19. Once again though the Raiders closed the set strong scoring six of the final eight points to grab a 2-1 lead. MSOE methodically closed the match out one set later for the 3-1 win.
The Regents had a trio of players record double-doubles on Saturday. Katelyn Hasken had a very well rounded game for Rockford. Hasken had 15 kills and 15 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. The junior also added a pair of assists, an ace and a block assist to her totals. Junior Laina Scheri (Cortland, Ill./DeKalb) had 12 kills and season-high 24 digs for her second double-double of the season. Scheri also had a pair of service aces and a block assist. Taylor Rossi (Ingleside, Ill./Grant Community) was the final Regent to put up double-digits in multiple statistical categories. Rossi had 14 digs and led the Regents with 26 assists.
The Regents will now close out their season with five consecutive home games beginning on Tuesday, October 15th against Concordia University Wisconsin. The match has a scheduled start time of 7:00 p.m.
