Milwaukee, Wis. - The Illinois Tech Volleyball team traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin this past weekend to compete in the Inferno-Angel Tournament. It was a successful weekend for the Hawks.  After a tough 3-1 loss to North Park University, they battled back to win 3 straight matches versus Northland International, Kuyper and Silver Lake.  The wins bring the Hawks record to 7 and 7 on the season.

North Park 3, Tech 1 (25-21, 20-25, 23-25, 18-25)

Hawks first match of the weekend was a rematch with the North Park Vikings. Tech won the last meeting between the two teams a week ago at the Aurora University Invite. North Park came out much stronger in this time around.  Although Tech was able to pull out a win in the first set, the momentum quickly changed as North Park went on to take the next three.  Match Point Leader, North Park's #2 Monalisa Fasavalua, caused the most problems for the Hawks, finishing the match with 21 kills and a .312 hitting percentage and 25 total points. Taylor Duman again led in points for the Hawks with 12 kills, 4 block assists and 2 block solos.  Freshman Claire Fraeyman was outstanding offensively hitting .421 with 10 kills.  Shea Manley assisted with 31 assists on the match.

Tech 3, Kuyper 0 (25-10, 25-14, 25-22)                                   

Tech bounced back immediately after their loss to North Park with a 3-0 win against Kuyper College.  The Hawks set the pace during the first two sets, leading the entire first set and only trailing twice in the second. Kuyper put up a fight during the third set with a point for point battle that brought the score to 22-22 before the Hawks were able to finish the match with a three point run and final block by Claire Fraeyman and Adriane Walther. Hawks had an impressive blocking match with 14 total blocks.  Point leader Taylor Duman contributed 5 blocks to that total while also hitting .176 with 7 kills. Claire Fraeyman followed with 6 kills and hitting .417.  Outside hitters, Adriane Walther and Irena Grauzinis both contributed with 5 kills apiece.

Tech 3, Northland International 0 (25-10, 25-14, 25-18)

Hawks started the day Saturday on the right note, defeating Northland International in 3 smooth sets. Hawks controlled the match offensively, with 5 players hitting over .200.  Taylor Duman led with 10 hitting .333 and Setter/Hitter Shea Manley hit .455 with 6 kills while also assisting 19 balls.  Defensively, hawks dug 51 balls with libero, Cassie Hansen leading with 15.

Tech 3, Sliver Lake 0 (25-10, 25-9, 25-4)

The Hawks finished the weekend off on a strong note defeating Silver Lake 3-0, and controlling the match though all three sets. Tech displayed some impressive serving that put Silver Lake's offense in a bind.  Sophomore Cassie Hansen went on a 7 point serving run in the second set, and a 13 point run in the third picking up 9 service aces along the way. Point leader and middle hitter Taylor Duman finished the match with 12.5 points, hitting .429 with 9 kills.  Outside hitter Irena Grauzinis followed hitting .500 with 8 kills.

Hawks will travel Tuesday for their next match against Maranatha Baptist to try and push past the .500 mark.