CHICAGO — The Wright State University volleyball team defeated Chicago State 3-0 Sept. 16 (25-21, 25-22, 25-23) in the final match of the Chicago State Invitational, clinching the tournament title.

The last tournament that the volleyball team won was the Holiday Inn Invitational in September 2015.

“We had a great tournament and are feeling really good about how we performed this weekend. If we can continue to compete to our level we will continue to improve,” said Coach Susan Clements.

The beginning of the first set saw both teams fighting back and forth and keeping the score close. With the score tied at 13-13, Chicago State was able to pull ahead to 16-13 after a 3-0 run. Freshman Celia Powers ended the 3-0 run with a kill, but Chicago State answered back immediately by going on a 4-0 run and extending its lead to 20-14.

The Raiders went on a 10-0 run putting them within one point of winning the first set. Chicago State was able to get a quick kill to make the score 24-21 before senior outside hitter Katie Klusman ended the first set with a kill. Klusman led the Raiders with seven of Wright State’s 15 kills in the set.

Chicago State grabbed an early lead at 6-2 in the second set after going on a couple of 3-0 runs. Klusman ended the second 3-0 run with a kill and shifted the momentum to Wright State, which resulted in the Raiders going on a 7-0 run which put them in the lead at 9-6. Chicago State eventually pulled ahead and took the lead to 18-15, but another run by the Raiders allowed them to reclaim the lead and pull ahead at 21-18. Wright State was able to hold the lead and won the set after a kill from freshman Teddie Sauer.

Klusman led the Raiders with five kills while Sauer added four. Overall, the Raiders had 15 kills for a solid .300 hitting percentage.

Wright State and Chicago State kept the score extremely close throughout the beginning of the third set, never allowing the other to get more than one point ahead until an attack error by Chicago State pushed the Raiders ahead 8-6. The score was tied 8-8, 9-9, and 10-10 before Wright State was able to take a permanent lead after a kill from senior setter Maddie Lohmeier.

Klusman led the Raiders with 14 kills while freshman Sauer posted seven kills for an impressive .400 hitting percentage. Senior middle blocker Megan Hopkins recorded six kills for a solid .353 hitting percentage and also lead the team with four blocks.

Hopkins was named to the Chicago State Invitational Tournament Team and Lohmeier was named the tournament MVP.

WSU Raiders will start conference play on the road against IUPUI and Northern Kentucky beginning 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22.

Submitted photo Katie Klusman, Teddie Sauer, Megan Hopkins and Celia Powers celebrate with teammates after the win in Chicago.
https://www.beavercreeknewscurrent.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2017/09/web1_volley.jpgSubmitted photo Katie Klusman, Teddie Sauer, Megan Hopkins and Celia Powers celebrate with teammates after the win in Chicago.

News-Current Report

Story courtesy of Wright State University Athletics.