AU v. Saginaw Valley

L 25-21, 25-22, 25-19

After being on the road for five matches, the Eagle’s volleyball team was very excited to come back home to play in Kate’s Gymnasium. Another benefit of playing at home this specific weekend: Homecoming. 

Achieving a 3-2 record while away, AU head coach Cass Dixon was happy to be on their home court. 

“The team was excited to finally be back home. After being on the road for so many weeks, it was great to have some home court advantage.”

The Eagles faced two conference opponents, Saginaw Valley State University Cardinals and Wayne State Warriors.

As the first match began, Ashland stayed real close to Saginaw on the scoreboard but was not able to come out on top after losing 3-0, 25-21, 25-22, and 25-19.

During the first two sets, the Eagle’s energy was consistent and pushed the Cardinals almost all the way to the end. 

“We put ourselves in a great situation and were at 20-20 each of the first two sets,” Dixon said. “We just couldn’t take advantage of the opportunities to finish the set.” 

Even though the team was not able to get the win, Dixon is keeping a positive attitude.

“We played some of our best volleyball against Saginaw,” Dixon said. “Our defense in the first two sets was really disciplined and we won the majority of the long rallies.”

Rylee Scott led the defense with 11 digs as well as five block assists. Junior Sam Zuber contributed immensely with 7 blocks.

Zuber also hit .312 from the floor on 16 attempts. 

Sophomore Alli Cudworth led the team with 10 kills on 30 attempts.  

The best way for the Eagles to stay strong during the tight scoring situations is to recreate them in practice. 

“We have to continue to try and put them in pressure situations in practice,” Dixon said. “We need to try and recreate that same feeling of pressure so that when we are faced with a similar situation again we perform.”

AU v. Wayne State

W 25-22, 25-20, 25-23

Game two of Homecoming weekend was against the Warriors from Wayne State. 

The Eagles took the loss from SVSU the night before, turned it into momentum and took three straight sets from Wayne St., 25-22, 25-20, and 25-23.

“The win against Wayne was great confidence boost,” AU coach Dixon said. “They are a strong team and their record is not indicative of their level of play.”

The difference in play for the Eagles was when put in those close score situations, they stayed focused on the game plan. 

“We talked about being in a 20-20 situation again and this time making a difference by winning those important points.” 

Cudworth had another unbelievable night, tallying 12 kills in all three sets.

 Ashland’s team hitting percentage was .213.

 The main reason this was possible was freshman setter Katie Siefert. Siefert recorded a match-high 27 assists.

“I think that Kate played well this past weekend. The chemistry between her and our attackers is definitely improving each day,” says Dixon.

It was not only Ashland’s offense that worked for this win. 

Sam Zuber was another star defensively with six blocks, 10 digs and two service aces. 

Freshman Jamie Vander Meer also logged 10 digs for the Eagles.

“We had quite a few key blocks against Wayne that really got the team going. We also had some great digs that kept us in hose long rallies,” said Dixon.

Ashland’s defense held the Warriors to hitting .131 on the night, 99 attempts with 20 errors. 

Up next on the schedule for Ashland is the GLIAC/GLVC Crossover Tournament. They will be playing teams from both conference beginning on Oct. 17 through Oct. 18.

Cass Dixon’s sights are high for the tournament. 

“I expect that we get a few more wins at the crossover. We need to continue pushing ahead. The more wins we can get the more confident we will be when we resume GLIAC play.”

The Eagles are hoping to get better and improve their ranking in conference standings. 

“We are responsible for where we are at in the league and need to continue getting wins in order to make the conference tournament,” said Dixon.