RV Grace Topples No. 23 Spring Arbor in Five Sets

WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's volleyball team collected a marquee victory on Saturday.

The Lancers rallied from behind to upset No. 23 Spring Arbor, winning 3-2 at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.

Grace used a balanced attack to beat down the Cougars (14-2, 2-2 Crossroads League); Grace had six players tally at least six kills.

In the opening set, three quick kills from Callie Jo Celichowski lifted the Lancers to a 9-5 edge. The Cougars swiftly rallied and reclaimed the lead at 13-12. 

Shortly after, Grace's offense got hot. Kills from Anna Elkin, Celichowski, Livia Tate and Olivia Martinez helped the Lancers (9-7, 2-2 CL) pull in front. 

Elkin polished off the set with a kill, handing Grace a 25-19 win. Grace ended the set on 10-3 run. Celichowski led all players with five first-set kills, and Carsyn Witt passed out 13 assists.

Spring Arbor was swift in response. Grace held a 13-9 lead midway into the second set, but the Lancers' offense was quiet down the stretch. SAU ended the set on a 16-5 run, winning by seven.

Grace chased the Cougars throughout the third set. The Lancers showed signs of life with a late 5-1 run, but the damage was already done as Grace lost 25-19.

The Lancers needed a set-four win to stay alive, and the home team delivered. 

SAU appeared to have momentum, using a 6-1 run to claw in front 15-12. Two kills from Levyn Snow sparked Grace, but the Cougars still led 21-18.

Grace's defense tightened up during the closing stages of the fourth set, allowing a pair of kills from Leah Henderson to even the score at 23s. The teams exchanged points for the next five rallies until an emphatic solo block from Livia Tate ended the set in extra points as Grace won 27-25.

Aided by a thunderous MOCC homecourt advantage, Grace charged into the fifth set with five straight points. Witt began the set with a kill, Reagan Owens aced, and Celichowski, Henderson and Snow also produced kills as Grace led 5-0.

The Cougars managed to pull within two, but the Lancers again showcased their defensive prowess down the stretch. SAU was held without a kill for the final seven rallies. Snow and Henderson finished off the Cougars with back-to-back kills, securing the 15-10 win.

Martinez produced a massive double-double with 10 kills and 30 assists, and Witt also had one with 48 assists, 13 digs and 4 kills.

Henderson had a team-high 12 kills (.237 percentage) with three block assists, and Tate notched 9 kills, 2 solo blocks and 3 block assists.

Celichowski tallied 9 kills, 1 solo block and 2 block assists, Elkin collected eight kills and 17 digs, and Snow had six kills on a .273 percentage.

Liz Schmidt (26 digs) and Emma Blackford (22 digs) shored up a stout back row.

The Lancers are on the road for two matches next week, playing at St. Francis on Wednesday and Bethel on Saturday.