Box Score

PEORIA, Ill. – Senior Brooke Maher recorded 13 kills and 14 digs as the Purple Aces volleyball team opened up Missouri Valley Conference play with a 3-0 sweep over Bradley on Friday evening.
 
Maher’s totals for digs and kills were tops among both squads.  Fellow senior Ellen Sawin continued to rack up the assists with 30 while Kaisi Nixon and freshman Ashley Ring put forth strong efforts.  Ring, who continues to improve in her first season, notched five blocks and eight kills while Nixon tallied four blocks and seven kills.
 
“We were glad to get out of there in three games, our blocking was solid and we had some good offensive performances,” head coach Mike Swan said.  “Brooke (Maher) hit well.  Kaisi (Nixon) and Ashley (Ring) were close behind.  Tomorrow we need to be a little more focused and we should be in good shape.”
 
Evansville (11-3, 1-0 MVC) spotted Bradley (6-4, 0-1 MVC) a 2-0 lead in set one, but it was all Aces from there as they reeled off seven of the next eight points to open up a 7-3 advantage.  Nixon started off strong on the offensive end, reeling off three kills in the opening stretch.
 
Following a timeout by the Braves, the Aces continued their run, opening up a 15-9 lead.  Bradley would fight back, getting within three points on a few occasions, but a Rachel TenHoor kill finished off a 25-21 win.
 
Game two started out with another Bradley 2-0 lead, but, as was the case in set one, Evansville made another quick rally to open up a 7-4 lead.  Unlike game one where the Braves were able to stay within striking distance, Evansville was able to take a comfortable advantage.  Up 12-10, UE finished the set on a 13-8 run to grab a 25-18 win. 
 
The Aces scored the first two points in the third set and never looked back, cruising to a 25-17 win to wrap up the sweep.  Maher’s play in the final game was crucial to the Aces victory as she had a run of four kills over five points early in the set.
 
Amy Angelos led the Braves with nine kills while Madison Kemp finished with 12 digs. 
 
Tomorrow, the Aces continue MVC play as they travel to No. 15 Northern Iowa for a 7 p.m. matchup.