The Illinois Tech volleyball team headed north to Oshkosh, Wis. Saturday to play two tough matches against Wisconsin-Stout and Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The Hawks dropped both in Oshkosh but continued their road trip north to pick up two wins on Monday against Finlandia University and Gogebic Community College.

UW-Stout 3, Tech 0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-22)  

Oshkosh, WI- The Hawks' first opponent on Saturday was UW-Stout. Tech had a slow start against the Blue Devils dropping the first two sets 25-15, 25-16.  They started to rally back in the third but it was too little too late as Stout closed the match in three sets. Although Tech had a tough time on offense, their defense put on a show digging 30 balls to Stout's 24. Seniors Shea Manley and Taylor Duman tied as point leaders for the Hawks.

UW-Oshkosh 3, Tech 0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-16)

Tech found an even tougher opponent in their next match against Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Another slow start due to serve receive errors put the Hawks in an early deficit that left them battling to close the gap the entire match. Hawks had another tough time offensively. Irena Grauzinis lead the offense with 5 kills and a .158 hitting percentage.

Tech 3, Gogebic CC 0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-16)

Hancock, MI- After the two loses in Oshkosh, the Hawks had a day to regroup and refocus before two more matches in Hancock, MI on Monday. Their first opponent Gogebic Community College gave them a tough time. Although Tech led the majority of the match, GCC kept battling back with a resilient defense that would not go down easy.  Tech's tough serving and offense won the match for them with every Hawk server picking up at least one ace. Irena Grauzinis led the offense again with 10 kills, followed by Taylor Duman with 9, and Claire Fraeyman with 8.  Setter, Adriane Walther assisted on 29 kills and Libero Chelsea Badiola led the defense with 11 digs.

Tech 3, Finlandia 0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-7)

The Hawks came out in full force in their fourth and final match of the road trip. Both defense and offense had an incredible match, making it difficult for Finlandia to find answers. Defensively, Hawks had one of their best blocking matches yet, with 7 total blocks to Finlandia's 1.  Offensively, every Hawk attacker hit over .200 with Taylor Duman leading with 10 kills and Shea Manely and Claire Fraeyman following with 6 apiece.  Adriane Walther assisted on 18 balls and Freshman Reya Green led the defense with 10 digs out of Tech's 41. 

The weekend moves Tech's record to 10-14 going into their home tri-match this coming weekend. The Hawks will play Finlandia again along with Moody Bible at Keating Sports Center Saturday at 10AM and 2PM.