Box Score 1 | Box Score 2  / Wayne State (Mich) box score (pdf)
 / Minnesota Duluth box score (pdf)

Somers, Wis. – The Lewis University women's volleyball team wrapped up non-conference action at the UW-Parkside Invitational on Saturday (Sept. 14) with a 3-1 (25-22, 25-18, 25-27, 25-21) victory over Wayne State (Mich.) and was swept 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-10) by No. 2 Minnesota Duluth.
 
The Flyers move to 4-4 on the year, while the Bulldogs improve to 8-0. The Warriors fall to 3-5 on the season.
 
"The team won the three most important matches this weekend," Lewis head women's volleyball coach Lorelee Smith said. "They showed tremendous growth toward playing as a team.
 
"We fought hard against Duluth but we were not in control of the ball long enough to pull out the upset."
 
Against Wayne State, Lewis was led by redshirt sophomore rightside hitter Alexis Davito (Crest Hill, Ill./Lockport) with 14 kills and four service aces. Redshirt junior outside hitter Kim Vertin (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Central) picked up 13 kills to extend her streak of double-figure kills to six matches. Sophomore middle hitter Morgan Cebula (Stevens Point, Wis./Stevens Point Area) hit .476 with 11 kills and one error in 21 attempts and three block assists. Junior setter Leigh Barea (Battle Creek, Mich./Harper Creek) tallied a floor-high 43 assists.
 
Wayne State had three players with double-figure kills as Kristen Bulkiewicz and Heather Weiss each had 15 kills while Candice Ottey picked up 11 putaways. Madison Reeves tallied 40 assists in the four set contest.
 
After taking a 24-15 lead in the first set, the Flyers were able to dig deep to withstand a late seven point run by Warriors for the 25-22 set victory. Lewis was also able to gain the upper hand in the second set, cruising to a 25-18 win.
 
In the third set, the squads exchanged 11 ties before Wayne State was able to connect two points at the end of the set, 27-25. In the fourth set, neither squad was able to take a commanding lead until the Flyers took a four-point lead at 21-17. Lewis was then able to close out the set and match on a 4-2 run.
 
In the evening contest, Lewis was unable to get any momentum going against No. 2 Minnesota Duluth. The Bulldogs held the Flyers' Cebula to nine kills while Barea had 22 assists, six digs and four kills. UMD also held the upper hand in team blocks, 6-2.
 
The Bulldogs were led by Kate Lange's 12 putaways, while Ashley Hinsch had a floor-high 40 of UMD's 42 assists. Julie Rainey chipped in a floor-high 13 digs.
 
The Flyers open Great Lakes Valley Conference play when Truman State heads to Neil Carey Arena on Saturday, Sept. 21. First serve is set for 5 PM.