AURORA, Ill. -- The Rockford University women's volleyball team fell in both matches at the Aurora Triangular on Wednesday afternoon, losing to #RV Aurora University and Lake Forest College.
The Regents fell to host Aurora, who finished as the runner-up in the 2025 NACC Tournament, 3-0 (25-14, 25-10, 25-13), before dropping a five-set match to Lake Forest, 3-2 (25-18, 25-10, 19-25, 23-25, 15-10).
Kennedy Bryant gave Rockford an early 1-0 lead with a kill in the first set. The teams traded points before Aurora gained separation with a 9-1 run to take a 12-5 lead. The Spartans maintained their advantage to take the opening set.
Aurora continued its strong play in the second set, pulling away with an 8-0 run to take a 23-9 lead before closing out the set.
Rockford held an early lead in the third set following kills from
Ashley Mersch and
Brooklyn Rylko, but Aurora responded with a 6-0 run to take a 14-7 advantage. The Regents remained competitive and pulled within five at 15-10 before the Spartans went on a 7-1 run to close out the match.
Rockford recorded 17 kills, 17 errors and 81 attempts against Aurora. Bryant led the Regents with five kills, while
Isabella Valdes recorded a team-high nine assists.
Leila Cooks and Valdes each recorded an ace.
Cooks led the Regents with 10 digs, while Mersch and Rylko each recorded a block.
Against Lake Forest, the Regents fell behind 7-2 early in the first set before responding with a 9-4 run to tie the score at 11. Rockford stayed competitive before the Foresters closed the set with a 5-0 run to take a 1-0 lead.
Lake Forest carried its momentum into the second set, opening with a 10-2 run. The Foresters maintained their advantage throughout the set to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Rockford responded in the third set after falling behind 3-0, putting together a 10-1 run to take a 10-4 lead. The Foresters fought back, but the Regents answered with four consecutive points, including two kills from Mersch, to regain control and force a fourth set.
An attack error and a service ace gave Rockford an early 2-0 lead in the fourth set. The teams traded points before Lake Forest took a 12-11 lead during a 5-1 run. Mersch recorded another kill to spark a 6-1 Rockford run, giving the Regents a 17-13 advantage. The Foresters rallied to pull within one at 22-21, but a late service error by Lake Forest helped Rockford close out the set and force a deciding fifth set.
Lake Forest regained the lead in the fifth set with an 8-2 run after Rockford held an early 4-3 advantage. The Foresters maintained their lead to secure the five-set victory.
Rockford hit .138 against Lake Forest, recording 45 kills, 23 errors and 160 attempts. Mersch led the Regents with 17 kills, setting a new career high. Dewey recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 13 digs, while
Milee Law also recorded a double-double with 18 assists and 10 digs, tying her season high in digs. Rylko recorded a season-high five blocks, while Cooks led the team with three aces.
The Regents will return to action on Friday, Oct. 2, when they host Wisconsin Lutheran College at the Seaver Center. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
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