• Box Score

A double-double of 16 digs and 15 kills from sophomore Brooke Maher helped the University of Evansville volleyball team (12-11, 5-6) get back on the winning track Saturday, as the Aces rolled by Bradley (9-16, 0-11) by a score of 3-1 (25-13, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16).

“Naturally we are glad to get the win tonight,” said Evansville head coach Mike Swan. “Offensively we looked good, especially in the first game. It was nice to see our blocking become a factor. Now we just need to continue to stay focused as we go on the road next weekend.”

The Aces found key contributions from several members of the team. Junior Julie Sylvester posted a career-high 34 digs against the Braves while senior Ginta Gabruseva had 14 kills. Setter Ellen Sawin tabbed 43 assists and four block assists and one block solo. Junior Emily Wandersee also notched four block assists.

In the first set, UE found a 5-2 lead after two kills from Gabruseva and an ace from Sylvester. The Braves stayed within three or four points early until a 7-0 burst from the Aces put UE ahead 22-9. Errors from Bradley late and a .480 team attack percentage by the Aces helped UE take the first set 25-13.

Bradley went up 8-6 starting the next outing, but the Aces were able to tie the match at 11-11. A kill from Wandersee and back-to-back kills from Maher pushed the Aces ahead 14-11. A Bradley block put the Braves within one at 14-13, but UE held on to the advantage to win the second 25-19.

Kills from Maher, Sawin, Gabruseva and Jessica Knackmuhs gave UE the 8-4 lead in the third set, but the Braves crept in to cut the lead to 15-14. A 4-0 scoring rally put Bradley on top 18-16. After tying the score at 19 and again at 20, Bradley capped the set with five-straight points to hold off the sweep at 25-20.

Two kills from Gabruseva and an additional one from Kaisi Nixon helped the Aces with a 3-1 advantage in the final contest. After the Braves tied it at 4, UE put up three-straight points with blocks from Wandersee, Maher and Sawin. The Aces continued to hold their distance from the Braves, and a Bradley service error plus kills from Gabruseva and Nixon closed the set at 25-16.

The Aces take a break from Carson Center next weekend, as the team travels to Illinois State on October 30 and Indiana State on October 31. The match with the Redbirds begins at 7:00 p.m. while the Sycamores’ game starts at 6:00 p.m.