Eagles Win First KIAC Tournament
AsMidway, KY---The Asbury College volleyball team secured their first ever KIAC Tournament Championship on Saturday afternoon, defeating Indiana University-East in the
The Eagles celebrated their first ever KIAC Tournament Championship on Saturday. Asbury defeated IU-East in the championship match, and didn't lose to a conference opponent all season.
Championship match 3-0. The Eagles didn't drop a game in the tournament as they defeated Berea on Friday 3-0 and Indiana Southeast 3-0 on Saturday morning.
Asbury (27-16) was led by sophomore Lauren Budde's 11 kills, senior Ellen Adkison added nine and had the final kill on match point. Sophomore Emily Andrews had eight kills and led the team with 26 assists. Sophomore Hannah Wheeler had 19 digs from the back line, and Adkison added 18. Asbury's 42 kills were the second most in a three game match all season, they had 43 against Hanover on September 27th.
The Eagles took down Berea College in the first round on Friday morning in three games 25-7, 25-17, 25-11. Budde again led the team with 11 kills, as Adkison and sophomore Jordan Rust added nine each. Andrews had 23 assists and Wheeler had 14 digs as the Eagles easily moved past the Mountaineers.
Asbury had a tougher time with IUS on Saturday morning, but still managed to win in three 25-19, 25-22, 25-19. Adkison had her strongest match of the tournament with a team leading 10 kills and 19 digs. Senior Abby Andrews and her sister Emily each had seven kills and Emily added 24 assists.
The Eagles finish the regular season with their best winning percentage (.628) since 1994 (29-17, .630). The 27 wins are the most since 2005 when the Eagles finished 27-18 and advanced to the NCCAA National Tournament. Asbury also finished with an undefeated mark in matches against conference teams, going 7-0 in conference play and 11-0 against conference teams including a second match against Midway in the regular season and tournament play. Asbury only dropped four games against conference teams winning 33 of 37.
Asbury will advance to the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round to be played next Saturday November 22nd. If the Eagles win that match they will advance to the final site pairings in Sioux City, Iowa December 2-6. Opening Round pairings and sites will be announced on Sunday November 16. Check back for more details.
