Manchester University volleyball overcame a two-sets-to-one deficit to rally past Olivet
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Manchester University volleyball team opened the 2021 season in dramatic fashion on Wednesday night inside a raucous Stauffer-Wolfe Arena. The Spartans overcame a two-sets-to-one deficit and rallied to defeat visiting Olivet College in five sets.
After taking the first set 25-20, the Spartans fell behind Olivet as the Comets took the second and third sets by scores of 25-22 and 25-14. The Spartans battled back in the fourth set, edging the Comets by a 25-23 tally to set up a decisive fifth set.
The Spartans took command in the fifth set after opening an 8-3 advantage. The Comets drew to within 13-9 before the Black & Gold were able to convert the final two deciding points.
Manchester University was paced by 16 kills from junior Halle Planck (Gas City, Ind./Mississinewa). Both Samantha Campbell (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) and Erika Kramer (Greensburg, Ind./North Decatur) contributed eight kills in the win.
Jordan Holland (Osceola, Ind./Mishawaka) posted a team-high 25 assists. Rachael Ressler (Tipton, Ind./Tipton) led Manchester with 16 digs. Newcomer Carly Ripberger (Tipton, Ind./Tipton) posted a double-double in Wednesday’s match after finishing with 13 digs and 11 assists.
Morgan Dillon led the Comets with 12 kills, while Kennedy Blackburn added 39 assists.
The Spartans improved to 1-0 while Olivet dropped to 0-1. Manchester will host the Spartan Volleyball Classic beginning on Friday September 4 in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena. The Black & Gold will take on the University of Northwestern Ohio beginning at 4 p.m.
