**Rose-Hulman Tri-Match**
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Illinois Tech women's volleyball achieved a double-dose of victories at the Rose-Hulman Tri-Match, defeating host Rose-Hulman 3-0 and Trine 3-1 on Saturday at Hulbert Arena. Against Rose-Hulman, the Scarlet Hawks won with set scores of 25-18, 28-26, and 25-19, hitting .310 with 46 kills while limiting the Fightin' Engineers to a .056 hitting percentage and 29 kills. In their matchup against Trine, Illinois Tech claimed victory with set scores of 22-25, 25-22, 25-13, and 25-21, hitting .444 in the third set and showcasing a powerful 8-0 run to shift momentum.
Illinois Tech improves to 9-5 overall, while the Fightin' Engineers fall to 2-10 overall and Trine stands at 6-7.
How It Happened
Against Rose-Hulman:
After the Fightin' Engineers initially led 2-1, Illinois Tech gained control of the first set, highlighted by three kills from
Payton Smith, who helped propel the team to a 25-18 victory. The second set was a back-and-forth battle, with Illinois Tech overcoming a 24-22 deficit to win 28-26 thanks to a block from Aspurez and Smith, followed by a decisive kill from Smith. The third set saw Illinois Tech pull away, finishing strong with a 25-19 win.
Against Trine:
The Thunder started strong, taking an early lead. However, Illinois Tech fought back to tie the first set at 21-21, but ultimately fell 25-22. The Scarlet Hawks regrouped in the second set, pulling ahead with a series of aces from Trautmann Mendez and Clark to win 25-22. In the third set, Illinois Tech dominated with an 8-0 run, finishing with a 25-13 win. The final set saw Illinois Tech fend off a late charge from Trine to secure a 25-21 victory.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
*Against Rose-Hulman:
Payton Smith
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- 16 points
- 15 kills on .324 hitting
- 2 block assists
Rowan Midgette
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- 34 assists
- 7 digs
- 4 kills on .444 hitting
Karla Trautmann Mendez
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- 10 kills
- 14 digs
- 12 points
Victoria Aspurez
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- 6 kills on .462 hitting
- 3 service aces
- 3 block assists
Brooke Rifkin
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- 14 digs
- 4 assists
- 1 service ace
*Against Trine:
Karla Trautmann Mendez
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- 15 kills
- 4 service aces
- 5 total blocks
- 21.5 points
Brooke Rifkin
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- 18 digs
- 1 service ace
Victoria Aspurez
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- 6 total blocks, including 1 solo
- 6 kills on .333 hitting
- 9.5 points
Annalise Clark
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- 5 service aces
- 8 digs
Lilia Donaldson
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- 11 kills on .333 hitting
- 4 total blocks
- 13.5 points
Match Notes:
- Illinois Tech improved to 2-3 lifetime against Rose-Hulman and 2-2 against Trine.
- The team surpassed the 100 service aces milestone with a total of 105, including 10 in the second match.
- Trautmann Mendez achieved a season-high of 15 kills against Trine and maintained a hitting percentage of at least .278 for two consecutive matches.
- Donaldson recorded at least 4 total blocks in two consecutive matches.
- Smith recorded at least 11 kills in two consecutive matches.
- Aspurez achieved a season-high total of 6 blocks.
Up Next
The Scarlet Hawks host Concordia University (Wis.) on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. at Keating Sports Center in a NACC matchup.
