From Sept. 3-6, Wright State hosted the Tru by Hilton Beavercreek Invitational. The event brought in Western Kentucky University, Ball State University and the University of Dayton (UD) in for women’s volleyball at the Nutter Center.
On Friday, Sept. 4, the WSU Raiders faced off against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Then on Sept. 5, they played against the Ball State Cardinals. To wrap up the invitational on Sept. 6, the Raiders competed against the rival UD Flyers.
Last season, the WSU Raiders finished the regular season with the number two seed in the Horizon League. They had a record of 19-10 going into the Horizon League Tournament. They then beat the third seed Youngstown State University, which was then followed by beating the first seed Northern Kentucky University to win the Horizon League Tournament. This allowed the raiders a bid into the NCAA national championship tournament. WSU played against Purdue and lost in the first round. The Raiders placed first in the preseason poll for the Horizon League.
Last season, the Ball State Cardinals finished the regular season with the number one seed in the Mid-American Conference. They had a record of 21-9 going into the Mid-American Conference tournament. They faced off against the fourth seed University of Toledo and lost to them 3-2. The Toledo Rockets then went on to beat the Western Michigan Broncos to win the Mid-American Conference tournament. The Cardinals placed second in the preseason poll for the Mid-American Conference.
So far in this invitational, the Raiders started off by facing the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and losing 0-3. The Cardinals had faced the Norse on Sept. 3. Ball State won that game 3-1. Then the next day, they faced the UD Flyers and won 3-0.
The first set in the match between WSU and Ball State was a marathon set. A volleyball match in regulation in only 48 serves at maximum. However, due to winning by two points rules, the first set had 62 serves. The set came down to a 24-24 tie before trade of points back and forth. After the Raiders tied the game at 30 each, the Cardinals pulled away scores 2 straight point. They clinched the set off a kill by Leah Pike.
The following two sets did not go well for the Raiders. They lost set two by a score of 25-16, then set three by a score of 25-12. Ball State won the match 3-0.
Outside hitter, Katie Sowko, led the Raiders in kills with 8. Setter Lauren Yacobucci led the team in assists with 30.
This match was the final match for Ball State in the invitational, whereas, the next day, Sept. 6, the Raiders faced their rival Dayton Flyers.
As the invitational concluded, the WSU Raiders hold a record of 3-3. They await the Pittsburgh Tournament from September 11 to 13.
