DEARBORN, Mich. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn volleyball team hosted their first tri-match in many years as the Wolverines welcome Spring Arbor University and Kuyper College to The Fieldhouse on Saturday (Sept. 9). The Wolverines dropped their first match against Spring Arbor in a five-set thriller. The Maize & Blue bounced back in game two, handling Kuyper College in straight sets. 

In game one against Spring Arbor, KieLee Tondryk led the match with 16 kills and 17 points. The Wolverines were shorthanded in the contest, playing without two crucial members of their lineup for most of the game. However, that did not stop the Wolverines from having four players with nine or more kills. 

Despite the balanced attack, the Wolverines went back and forth with the Cougars, leading to a 2-2 deadlock and forcing a deciding fifth set. The Wolverines took an early 5-2 lead in the final set and seemed to be on their way to victory, but the Cougars rattled off five consecutive points and forced the Wolverines into a timeout at 7-5. UM-Dearborn would only tally three more points and lose the final set 15-8. 

In game two, the Wolverines were able to mix up their lineups, allowing for some young Wolverines to gain some valuable playing time. Freshman Alyssa Evans took the most of her chances and hammered down nine kills in 17 swings. Zoey Mertz had an amazing nine aces from the service line, a feat she may never see again in her time in the Maize & Blue. Emily Buck had a career day as she tallied eight kills. Alyssa Bommarito dished out 26 assists in a strong afternoon.