Lady Pioneers fall twice in conference classic

October 24, 2021

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Crowley's Ridge played their final two games of the Continental Athletic Conference classic on Saturday, dropping both contests in straight sets, first to Florida National (12-25, 12-25, 8-25) before falling to Lincoln Christian (Ill.) University (18-25, 23-25, 22-25).

Game 1

Florida National - 3 (25, 25, 25)

Crowley's Ridge - 0 (12, 12, 8)

Crowley's Ridge (7-15) fell victim to an accurate Florida National (9-9) service attack as the Conquistadors blasted 20 service aces in the three-set win. Tying the first set 4-4, the Conquistadors rattled off nine unanswered points to jump ahead 13-4. A set of kills from Jadyn Hesse and Emi Elms tried to right the ship in the first set, but a seven-point streak by FNU ended the first set 25-12.

The Lady 'Neers opened up the second set with an 8-6 lead with five girls in green earning kills in that span. Tied at 10-10, the Conquistadors began to wear down the CRC defense, enjoying a 12-2 run to close out the set with a 25-12 win.

Florida National continued their strong play by capping the match with a 25-8 victory.

Olivia Deckelman led the Pioneers with three kills and three solo blocks. Kaitlyn Perkins collected 16 digs in the loss.

Game 2

Lincoln Christian (25, 25, 25)

Crowley's Ridge (18, 23, 22)

The Lady Pioneers (7-16) tried to exit the CAC Classic with a victory, but those hopes were dashed by Lincoln Christian (8-17) nearly doubling the CRC kill total by earning 47 kills to the Lady Pioneers' 27.

The Lady Pioneers kept each set close, but could never top the mountain. The first set had the Lady Pioneers down by three late in the set, but the Red Lions rattled off five unanswered points, eventually taking the set 25-18.

The second set saw the Lady Pioneers have the best chance to even the match, with CRC leading 23-20 after a Paige Glenn kill. The Red Lions would then go on their longest point streak of the set, scoring five unanswered to stun Crowley's Ridge with a 25-23 set victory.

Crowley's Ridge opened the third set with Kaitlyn Perkins blasting back-to-back service aces. The Lady Pioneers would again enjoy a late lead, jumping ahead of LCU 17-13, but the Red Lions continued to push points while the CRC attack stalled, eventually ending the set and match with a 25-22 victory.

Kaitlyn Perkins was a vacuum for the Lady 'Neers, sucking up 37 Red Lion attacks to average 12 digs in each set. Offensively, Hannah Halverson led the way with seven kills, trailed by Emi Elms and Paige Glenn's six.

Up Next

The Lady Pioneers will eye two opponents they have already beaten this season, first by traveling to Memphis to play LeMoyne-Owen (Tenn.) College on Tuesday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m.

The Crowley's Ridge regular season will conclude Friday, October 29, against Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) University. The 6 p.m. start time will be preceded by senior day celebrations honoring Olivia Deckelman and Kaitlyn Perkins.