Watertown, WI- The Illinois Tech volleyball team traveled for the second time this season to take on the Maranatha Baptist Wild Cats Tuesday night. The last time the two teams met, Maranatha defeated the Hawks in 3 sets. The hawks returned to Maranatha focused and ready for a battle. Unfortunately, after 4 long hard fought sets, Marathatha once again came out on top defeating Tech for the second time this season.
Hawks came out firing in the first set catching Maranatha off-guard and taking the close first set 25-23. Set two was a point battle from start to finish with multiple point exchanges and extended rallies. Maranatha was able to clinch it after a momentum changing kill by Kelli Fox and a Tech attack error. Rattled after the second set defeat, the Hawks seemed to lose their momentum coming into the third set. Maranatha was able to capitalize as Hawks serve receive and defense began to struggle. Tech was brought back to life however, as Taylor Duman went on a 10 point serving run taking the Hawks from losing 13-21 to leading 23-22. Unfortunately, Maranatha was still able to escape with the win after set winning service ace by Kelli Fox. Set four began as another point for point battle until Maranatha managed to steal the momentum at 16-16, running away with the lead and winning 25-18.
Although they were unable to pull out the win, Hawks had an outstanding match offensively. Senior Shea Manely led both teams in kills with 18 hitting a .130. Taylor Duman followed with 15 kills hitting a .158 and also assisting with 6 blocks. Finally, Hawk setter Adriane Walther assisted on 37 kills adding 2 kills of her own, 13 digs as well as 3 blocks.
The Hawks will play their last match at home at 7:00PM, October 31st against Aurora College.