TOLEDO, Ohio – The University of Toledo women's volleyball team fell to Western Michigan in three sets, 25-16, 25-21, 25-21 on Saturday evening at Savage Arena.
After taking the Broncos to the brink in a 3-2 loss on Friday night, the Rockets were unable to keep pace with their MAC West foes on Saturday. Sophomore Olivia Vance led the Rockets with nine kills while hitting .316. Senior Rhyen Neal recorded 16 digs and redshirt freshman Rachel Pierce added nine digs and six kills. Freshman Payton Morman contributed 25 assists and seven digs.
The Broncos were led by Rachel Bontrager, who led all comers with 20 kills while hitting .471.
"This weekend didn't go the way we dreamed it would," head coach Jason Oliver said. "The team has to show much more growth as this season goes on."
Despite the loss, Oliver praised the Toledo Athletic Department for the preparation of Savage Arena during the current pandemic. In addition, the arena crew had a quick turnaround as Savage hosted a men's basketball right before the volleyball match.
"Our operations staff, administration and everyone that helped us get this weekend off the ground deserves a game ball," said Oliver. "Once again, the Toledo athletic department shows its class and professionalism. This team and coaches appreciate the hard work put in by countless people in our athletic department. Thank you to them all."
Toledo visits Northern Illinois next week, with matches set for Thursday and Friday in DeKalb.
First Set (WMU 25-16)
The nine-point differential in the first set was the largest of the night, though the Rockets hung around early. UT held a 7-6 lead before surrendering six of the next seven points to fall behind 13-8. WMU kept its foot on the gas and opened up a double-digit lead at one point, 22-12. Bontrager dominated the first set for Western, tallying eight kills and hitting .800.
Second Set (WMU 25-21)
The Rockets got out to a better start in the second set by taking a 6-2 lead, thanks in part to strong play from sophomore Liz Beasley. With Toledo leading 12-11, Western Michigan scored the next three points to take a two point advantage and would not trail for the rest of the set. UT pulled within one point late, 19-18, but couldn't overcome a strong offensive attach from the Broncos. WMU hit a match-high .333 in the second set. Beasley and Vance both recorded four kills in the second frame as well.
Third Set (WMU 25-21)
Toledo once again got off to a strong start in the third set, jumping out to a 6-2 lead. Western Michigan then took charge and scored the next seven points to take the lead, which it held until late in the third set. Trailing 18-12, Toledo fought back to tie the score at 20-20. Pierce started the run with back-to-back kills, and with the help of a pair of aces from Vance and two kills from senior Chloee Kleespies the Rockets found themselves right back in it. Unfortunately it was not enough to overcome the Broncos, who would go on the win the set 25-22 to clinch a three-set sweep over the Rockets.
