ASHLAND, Wis. - The Rockford University volleyball team capped off a strong first two weeks of its season with a pair of wins on Saturday at the Northland College Tournament. The Regents did not drop a single set in either of its two matches en route to wins over Finlandia University and Mount Mary University.
Rockford opened its day with a 3-0 win over Finlandia. The Regents were in control for the entire match as Rockford used its depth and well-balanced attack to tame the Lions. Rockford had seven different players record at least one kill. Senior Katelyn Hasken (Lanark, Ill./Eastland) once again led the team with a match-high 8 kills. Hasken also recorded 6 digs and 3 service aces. Junior Kayla Kurz (Franklin Grove, Ill./Ashton-Franklin Center) had a very nice match as well with 7 kills of her own. Kurz also added a 4 digs, a solo block and 2 block assists. Sophomore Taylor Rossi (Ingleside, Ill./Grant Community) once again did a nice job setting up her teammates. Rossi recorded 21 assists on the Regents' 27 kills. Freshman Ashley Simmons (Naperville, Ill./North) played a nice match both offensively and defensively for the Regents. Simmons was able to provide Rockford with numerous easy points as she served up 5 of Rockford's 10 aces. Defensively, the freshman recorded a match-high 11 digs.
Later in the day, Rockford followed up their win against Finlandia with another convincing 3-0 win over Mount Mary. Offensively the Regents were absolutely brilliant recording 28 kills on 64 attempts for a .328 kill percentage. Rockford also served the ball exceptionally well as the Regents tallied 19 service aces. The duo of Ashley Simmons and Katelyn Hasken headed up Rockford's attack. Simmons recorded a match-high 9 kills along with 4 service aces. Hasken smashed home 8 kills and a pair of aces for the Regents. Sophomore Taylor Rossi had by far her best serving match of the season. Rossi was credited with an amazing 8 service aces. The sophomore also had 16 assists, 6 digs and 3 kills to round out her stat line. Senior libero Laina Scheri (Cortland, Ill./DeKalb) was also a force for Rockford against the Blue Angels as well. Scheri tallied a match-high 15 digs along with two aces.
Rockford finished the Northland College Tournament with a 3-1 record. Additionally, junior Kayla Kurz was rewarded for excellent play on the court as she was selected to the All-Tournament Team. Kurz finished the tournament with 24 kills, 1 ace, 9 digs and 10 total blocks.
The volleyball team returns to action on Tuesday, September 9th at home against Grinnell College. The will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Seaver Center.
