TOLEDO, Ohio – Despite dropping the first set, the Toledo volleyball team stormed back on Saturday night to defeat Western Michigan in four sets (21-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-21) inside Savage Arena.

The Rockets saw two players reach double figures in kills with the senior duo of Rachel Vidourek and Annie Beasley each recording 12 kills. Vidourek led the Midnight Blue and Gold with a .370 attack percentage.

Junior Carly Townsend recorded her fourth double-double of the season as she recorded 36 assists and 15 digs. Defensively, the Rockets dominated the Broncos at the net, registering 11 blocks to WMU's seven.

With the victory, Toledo improves its overall record to 8-10 and 3-3 in Mid-American Conference play. UT will hit the road next weekend as they travel to Athens, Ohio to challenge Ohio on Friday, Oct. 13 before taking on Kent State on Saturday, Oct. 14.

First Set:
In the first set, the Rockets and Broncos went back and forth through the first 16 points en route to an 8-8 tie. Toledo remained close with WMU at the media timeout as the Rockets trailed by just two before the Broncos scored four of the next five points to gain a 21-17 lead. UT cut the deficit to one thanks in large part to a 3-0 run to trail 22-21 late in the set. Ultimately, WMU rallied with the final three points to take the first set, 25-21.

Second Set:
The Broncos stormed out of the gate in the second set, taking a 6-3 lead after four straight points before a kill by senior Annie Beasley ended the Bronco run. Toledo went on a run of its own, scoring five of the next six points to tie the set at 8-8. The Midnight Blue and Gold continued to roll offensively as they embarked on a 4-0 run to take a 13-9 lead midway through the second. Late in the set, WMU cut the lead to one at 23-22 before a kill by Rachel Vidourek and a ball handling error by the Broncos helped UT earn the 25-22 second-set victory.

Third Set:
Toledo trailed just once in the third set en route to a dominant 25-19 victory. After trailing 2-1, the Rockets rebounded with four straight points to reclaim the lead for good. Midway through, Western Michigan used a 3-0 run to cut into the UT lead but a kill by Annie Beasley ended the Bronco run. Down the stretch, the Rockets scored five straight to widen their lead to 23-17 and ultimately won six of the final eight points to take a 2-1 match lead.

Fourth Set:
The Midnight Blue and Gold kept the momentum going from the third set into the fourth as the Rockets never trailed to take the fourth set, 25-21. It was a dominant showing by the Rockets as they scored six straight points to take a commanding 13-4 lead. Western Michigan rallied back to cut the lead to 16-13 but Toledo never let go of the lead. Down the stretch, a kill by freshman Chloee Kleespies coupled with an attack error by Western Michigan gave Toledo the final two points in a four-set victory.


Highlights from UT's victory against Western Michigan.