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Box Score 4 LAKE WINONA, Ind. – The Martin Methodist Volleyball team opened its 2019 season this past weekend with four matches at the Grace College Classic.
The RedHawks (1-3) took on quality competition in their opening event of the season as three of the four matches were against teams that won 20-plus contests a year ago.
The RedHawks dropped their opener on Friday, 3-1, to Northwestern Ohio. The RedHawks dropped the first two sets by just a combined six points and rallied to take the fourth set by a 25-20 margin. The fourth and final frame went against the RedHawks, however, as they suffered a 25-12 defeat to fall in the match.
The second contest on Friday saw the RedHawks suffer a 3-1 defeat to Indiana Tech. After a narrow 25-23 defeat in the opening frame, the RedHawks rallied for a 25-22 win in the second set to draw even. The third and fourth frames went against the RedHawks, however, as the Warriors pulled away for the four-set win.
Saturday's morning matched proved the stiffest test of the weekend as the RedHawks met a Indiana University-Kokomo squad that won 34 contests in 2018. The RedHawks pulled within two points at 25-23 in the first set, but suffered 25-18 defeats in the next two frames to suffer a match defeat.
The final match of the weekend proved a bright spot for the RedHawks, however, as they defeat Governors State (Ill.) by a quick 3-0 margin.
Hayley Brisendine and Kara Nelms were two bright spots for the RedHawks on the individual front, with Brisendine leading all teams with 72 total digs and a 5.1 digs per set average. Nelms posted 26 total kills on the weekend and was named to the All-Tournament team.
Sydney Arnold turned in a whopping 93 assists on the weekend, while Aerial Williams added a team-high 31 kills.
The RedHawks return to action on Tuesday, Aug. 27, when they travel to Campbellsville (Ky.). The RedHawks will meet another strong foe in the form of the Tigers (3-1), a team currently receiving votes in the NAIA Women's Volleyball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
First serve in Tuesday's matchup is set for 6 p.m. CT in Campbellsville, Kentucky.
