CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
CEDARVILLE, Ohio – The Lady Jackets are moving on by outlasting Northwood in four sets in a gritty G-MAC Quarterfinal inside the Callan Athletic Center.
CU's winning numbers over the No. 8 Timberwolves were 25–23, 25–21, 22–25, 25–22 thus earning the right to host the tournament's final two days this weekend.
Madelyn Hensley pounded 19 kills and
Cassi Shields added 14 to go along with 14 digs for the Jackets, 23-5 overall and winners of ten straight.
Kaley Matney orchestrated the offense with 56 assists, nine digs, and three service aces.
Alivia Rutt came up with a match-high 22 digs and
Cam Davenport added 17.
Cedarville advances to host No. 5 Hillsdale in Friday's first semifinal at 4:30 p.m. EST. No. 2 Findlay and No. 3 Ohio Dominican square off in the other semi at 7:00.
Saturday's final is slated for 1:00 with the winner earning the G-MAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Championship.
Quotable: Head Coach Greg Smith
"It's a great win! Northwood did a great job of serving tough and that gave us fits. They never gave up, either, and they kept coming back at us. I just give them credit. They just played extremely hard and well.
"We feel very fortunate to get this match under our belt because we knew it would be a tough one. I'm just very proud of the team because that's the first tournament win we've had in a while. We stuck with it when things weren't necessarily going well for us. We just have to get ready for Friday."
Quotable: Senior setter Kaley Matney
"I think the difference was realizing that our whole season is on the line and we had a sense of urgency. It lit a fire in us and we decided we weren't going to lose. We wanted to win this match and protect our home court. That was the ultimate push for us as seniors and we are really excited for this weekend!"
Stinger Notes:
- Cedarville totaled 61 kills with a .260 attack percentage.
- It was the Lady Jackets' first G-MAC Tournament win since a five-setter over Ohio Dominican in a 2020 quarterfinal home match.
- CU improved to 12-1 at home with 11 consecutive victories.
- Haley Koch became the 16th player in program history to surpass 300 career blocks.
- Matney's 56 assists marked her second-highest total of the year.
- The team's 11 service aces equaled the season high which has been accomplished four times.
