DEARBORN, Mich. – The 2018 Early Bird Challenge hosted by the University of Michigan-Dearborn volleyball team came to a close on Saturday, as the Wolverines played a pair of matches at the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse.
The Wolverines dropped a three-set match to Spring Arbor University (25-21, 27-25, 25-17) and fell to Mount Vernon Nazarene University in four sets (27-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22). The losses drop UM-Dearborn to 1-3 on the season.
Against SAU, Erin Parrinello led the offense with nine kills, while Bronte Michura and Mackenzie Fuleky added seven each. Daniella Barile finished with a team-high 14 assists and three service aces, while Caitlyn Carlson and Jayci Forster added 15 and 13 digs, respectively.
In the tournament finale, the Wolverines battled MVNU in a tight four-set match. After falling behind 2-0, UM-Dearborn rebounded with a strong offensive third to force the continuation of play. SAU closed it out in the fourth, despite UM-Dearborn leading 17-16 after a thunderous kill from Parrinello.
Gina Giacomini led the UM-Dearborn offense against MVNU with 16 kills and five errors on 41 attempts, while Fuleky added 11 kills on 19 attempts. Barile recorded a season-high 35 assists, while Carlson led the back row from the Libero position with 20 digs. Fuleky asserted herself at the net with five total blocks.
The Wolverines return to action at the 2018 Life University Running Eagle Classic starting against Keiser University at 5 pm Thursday in Marietta, Ga.
TOURNAMENT NOTES:
Madonna University was the lone team to finish the event with a perfect 4-0 record, winning first place. Lawrence Tech and Spring Arbor each finished 3-1.
All-Tournament Team and Tournament MVP will be announced Sunday.
Friday's Results:
UM-Dearborn 3, Columbia International 1
Madonna 3, Spring Arbor 0
Lawrence Tech 3, Goshen 0
Mount Vernon Nazarene 3, Columbia International 0
Lawrence Tech 3, Point Park 1
Goshen 3, UM-Dearborn 0
Madonna 3, Mount Vernon Nazarene 0
Lawrence Tech 3, Point Park 0
Saturday's Results
Spring Arbor 3, UM-Dearborn 0
Madonna 3, Goshen 2
Point Park 3, Columbia International 0
Goshen 3, Columbia International 0
Madonna 3, Point Park 0
Lawrence Tech 3, Mount Vernon Nazarene 0
Mount Vernon Nazarene 3, UM-Dearborn 1
Spring Arbor 3, Lawrence Tech 1
