Mastodon Women's Volleyball Drops Pair of Matches at Leatherneck Classic

Friday, September 6

Macomb, Ill.

11 AM ET

Purdue Fort Wayne

3-1,0-0Horizon

UIC

4-0,0-0MVC

UIC

Purdue Fort Wayne

Panna Ratkai

Photo by: Josh Gales

Mastodon Women's Volleyball Drops Pair of Matches at Leatherneck Classic

9/6/2024 9:49:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score

MACOMB, Ill. - Purdue Fort Wayne women's volleyball dropped its first matches of the season against UIC and Western Illinois on Friday (Sept. 6) in the Leatherneck Classic.

UIC 3, Purdue Fort Wayne 1
Jena Medearis recorded a career-high of 16 kills while hitting a scorching .500, but Purdue Fort Wayne dropped its opener against UIC 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 25-16).

The Flames jumped out to a 6-1 lead in set one from which the Mastodons never fully recovered. The 'Dons brought it back within one several times, even as late as 20-19, but UIC finished the set on a 5-1 run to take the one-set lead. While Medearis had four of her match-high 16 kills, fellow middle blocker Mya Plemons went 5-for-5.

The Mastodons jumped out to a 7-4 lead in set two when Becky Barrett had an ace before two kills from Medearis. The two squads traded points and abbreviated runs until they were tied at 23. Taya Haffner went to Panna Ratkai twice in a row to wrap up set two and even the match. The Mastodons hit a blistering .419 to overcome UIC's .424.

Purdue Fort Wayne went up 7-2 in set three behind Barrett's service again. She had another ace in this run. After Ratkai had a kill to go up 10-5, the Flames went on a 11-3 run to take a lead they did not yield. The 'Dons had a 3-0 run late that brought it back within three, but UIC closed the set by forcing two Mastodon miscues. Abby Stratford, Riley Rosneck and Medearis each had a kill in that 3-0 run.

UIC used an 11-2 run to take advantage in the fourth set and run away with the frame and the match. The Flames hit .400 in the fourth set, turning in a .385 effort for the entirety.

UIC improved to 4-0.

Western Illinois 3, Purdue Fort Wayne 1
Ratkai recorded 27 kills against the host Leathernecks, but Purdue Fort Wayne dropped the nightcap 3-1 (26-24, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23).

Ratkai's 27 kills are the seventh-most in a four-set match in Purdue Fort Wayne history.

The redshirt-sophomore from Hungary came out on fire, hammering down nine kills in the first set. She added eight more in the second. After a 6-2 run, the Mastodons built up a 20-14 lead. From there, Western Illinois went on a 12-4 run that gave the home team a 1-0 set lead.

The Mastodons built up a similar lead in set two, a 20-13 advantage after a kill from Ratkai. This time, the Mastodons shut down the Leathernecks with a 4-1 mini-run to close the set. Stratford got the set-winning kill. The 'Dons hit .410 as a team in the second set.

The two teams were square at 15 in set three after the 'Dons had a 5-1 run, but Western Illinois had a 5-2 stretch immediately following to put the Leathernecks back in the driver's seat. The fourth set went to WIU thanks to a 6-1 run that put the Leathernecks ahead for good.

Ratkai finished with a double-double of 27 kills and 12 digs. Five 'Dons finished with double-digit digs: LonDynn Betts (19), Meg Berkland (13), Barrett (13), Ratkai (12), Haffner (12).

Purdue Fort Wayne falls to 3-2 while Western Illinois improves to 2-2. The Mastodons are back in action on Saturday (Sept. 7) at 1 p.m. against South Dakota State.

~ Feel the Rumble ~