CENTRALIA, Ill. – The 2021 Vincennes University volleyball regular season is quickly coming to a close as the Trailblazers hit the road for the last time before tournament play to take on the Blue Angels of Kaskaskia Friday evening.
Kaskaskia got off to a fast start on their home floor, jumping out to a 9-4 early lead in set one.
The Trailblazers looked to respond but could not close the margin as the Blue Angels took the 1-0 match lead with a 25-14 win in set one.
KCC's momentum carried over into set two as the Blue Angels again jumped out to an early 7-2 lead.
Vincennes was able to battle back to cut the KCC lead to 15-14 after three consecutive aces from freshman Anna Johnsey.
VU battled tough, but ultimately fell behind 2-0 after Kaskaskia took set two 25-22.
The Trailblazers were determined not to get swept in their final road match of the season, with VU taking the early lead this time, up 8-5 in set three.
Vincennes would grow their lead to 20-14 before trading side outs with the Blue Angels on their way to taking set three 25-18 and forcing a fourth set.
Kaskaskia jumped out on top in set four, opening up an 8-3 early lead before Vincennes would work their way back to evening the score at 17-all.
KCC then responded by scoring four unanswered points and even though Vincennes was able to extend the fourth set, the Blue Angels came out on top 26-24 and took the 3-1 match win.
VU was led offensively by freshman Amee Beedle and sophomore Breanna Metzger, who each finished with 13 kills on the night.
Beedle recorded her second career double-double, finishing with 23 digs to go along with one set assist and an ace.
Metzger would also record a double-double with 14 digs and five block assists.
Freshman Jamie Russell came away with 11 kills on the night, while also adding four digs and a block assist.
Freshman Grace Earp led the Blazers with 25 digs to go along with three set assists.
Sophomore Savannah Grimes finished with 36 set assists, 13 digs, three block assists and an ace on her line.
Freshman Anna Johnsey filled up the box score, finishing with eight kills, five digs, four aces, two set assists, a solo block and a block assist.
Sophomore Olga Vasovic patrolled the back row again for the Blazers on her way to 10 digs and a set assist.
"I thought Amee Beedle had a good all around game with her hustle in the back row and good offense," VUVB head coach Gary Sien said. "Allyson Kuhl came in and put up some strong blocks. Defensively, Olga Vasovic and Grace Earp did a solid job of covering the back row."
Vincennes will look to bounce back Saturday, March 20 when VU hosts their regular-season finale at the P.E. Complex in Tri-Match action.
The Trailblazers will begin the day by taking on Region 24 opponent Wabash Valley at 10 a.m. eastern. This match will serve as Sophomore Recognition Day for the Trailblazers. VU will then follow that by taking on Morton College at 2 p.m. eastern.
"We have to get ourselves out of this ditch that we're stuck in," Sien added. "We have to finish games and make plays late in the set, especially in our serve receive. The last two sets we lost came down to about six to eight plays, we make them all and it probably would have been a different result."
VU (12-9) 14 22 25 24 x
Kaskaskia 25 25 18 26 x
VINCENNES STATS
Savannah Grimes – 2.5 points, 1 ace, 3 block assists, 13 digs, 36 set assists
Amee Beedle – 14 points, 1 ace, 13 kills, 23 digs,, 1 set assist
Emile Cornelson – 2.5 points, 1 kill, 3 block assists
Anna Johnsey – 13.5 points, 4 aces, 8 kills, 1 solo block, 1 block assist, 5 digs, 2 set assists
Breanna Metzger – 15.5 points, 13 kills, 5 block assists, 14 digs
Allyson Kuhl – 2.5 points, 5 block assists, 1 dig
Jamie Russell – 11.5 points, 11 kills, 1 block assist, 4 digs
Grace Earp – 25 digs, 3 set assists
Olga Vasovic – 10 digs, 1 set assist