ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University volleyball team returned to the court one final time on Tuesday, October 31 to host the Beloit College Buccaneers (9-16). Tuesday's match was originally scheduled for September 26 but was suspended at 1-1 with Beloit leading 6-1 in the third set when a light crashed on the court. The match was tight throughout and could have gone either way as three of the four sets were decided by three points or less. Unfortunately it was the Bucs who came out on top with a 3-1 win.
The first set was tough for the Regents as they trailed the entire way and eventually fell 25-19. Fortunately the second set went much better for RU as the ladies regrouped and led for most of the set. However, the Bucs did not go down quietly as they were able to tie it up late in the set at 21-21. The Regents then responded and dug deep scoring four out of the next five points, to take the second set 25-22. RU hoped to continue its momentum into the third set; however the Regents came up came up just short. Rockford and Beloit exchanged points for the entirety of both the third and fourth sets, but unfortunately it was the Bucs who squeaked out a 25-23 win in each of the sets to take the match 3-1.
The Rockford attack was led by the trio of junior Maddison Hiland (Bellevue, Iowa), freshman Emily Johannes (Eau Claire, Wis.), and freshman Jessica Diaz (Bolingbrook, Ill.). Hiland spearheaded the attack with 12 kills, tying her season-high from the beginning of the year. Johannes and Diaz both played well contributing 8 kills each. Sophomore setter Kayla Barthels (Fort Worth, Texas) helped create the attack as she registered 29 of the team's 34 assists.
Despite the loss the team played well defensively as four players recorded 10 or more digs. Johannes led the defense with 12 digs, while Barthels earned her sixth double-double of the year adding 11 digs of her own. Freshman Jennifer Quintas (Rockford, Ill.) and Diaz chalked up 11 and 10 digs respectively.
The RU volleyball team concluded its season with an overall record of 2-27 including an 0-11 mark in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. However the future looks bright as Rockford made enormous strides during the year. The Regents improved with each and every match, playing their best volleyball at the end of the season. Rockford's young roster consisted of six freshmen, all of whom saw significant playing time, which should provide a solid building block going forward.
