Trailblazers Stay Hot in Region, Down Warriors

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Volleyball team closed out a lengthy homestand Saturday afternoon with a straight-set victory over Wabash Valley College inside the P.E. Complex. The Trailblazers earned a hard-fought 25-22, 25-16, 25-21 win to improve to 13-1 overall and 7-0 in Region 24 play, continuing to make their case for national recognition after receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Top 20 national poll.

VU hit .333 as a team and leaned on a balanced attack to get past a talented Wabash Valley squad. Sophomore Kenli Sullivan led all scorers with 11 kills on .417 hitting, two aces, and seven digs. "Kenli once again led us in kills and points," Head Coach Gary Sien said. "She's been one of the top players in the country, and today she gave us the consistency we needed at the net and in the back row."

Freshman Taryn Thuis added another strong performance in the middle with nine kills on .444 hitting and two blocks, while Nicole De La Cruz contributed five kills and two blocks. "We've really been connecting well with our middles," Sien noted. "Taryn had another big match, and Nicole was solid as well. That connection between our setters and middles has been a strength."

The Trailblazers also received key contributions from others across the lineup. Paulina Krawczyk turned in six kills on .429 hitting while providing a defensive presence at the net, and Karen Kodi added three crucial kills and a hustle play that swung momentum in the third set. "Karen gave us a big lift with her effort in important moments, and Paulina really had a complete match with both her blocking and hitting," Sien said.

Setting duties were once again split effectively. Rylee Edwards finished with 22 assists, two aces, and five digs, while Scarlet Konkel handed out 14 assists and added 10 digs. Libero Adaline Eisenmann anchored the back row with six digs, and Allie Robinson chipped in seven digs and two aces. "Our setters did a really nice job running the offense once we settled into our passing," Sien said. "Wabash gave us problems with their serving in the first set, but when we passed, our setters made good decisions and put our hitters in the best spots to score."

Sien credited Wabash Valley for pushing his team, calling the match an important test to close the homestand. "They typically have a lot of talent and athleticism, and both of their middles hit well against us," Sien said. "It was good to compete against a tough opponent as our last match of the week. We didn't allow them to go on long runs, and that was key to finishing each set."

The Trailblazers (13-1, 7-0 Region 24) now turn their focus to a lengthy road stretch, beginning with a Region 24 matchup at John A. Logan College on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. (EST). VU will then travel south to play at the Wallace State CC Fall Bash in Hanceville, Alabama next weekend.

Join the Journey

As always, fans can keep up with the Vincennes University Volleyball squad all year long through a number of ways:

• X (formerly Twitter): @VUTrailblazers
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• Website: https://govutrailblazers.com