BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The MSU Denver volleyball team closed the Bulldog Classic in dominant fashion early Saturday morning, sweeping University of Illinois Springfield 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-15) for its third consecutive sweep.
The No. 3 ranked Roadrunners (3-1) bounced back from a tough season-opening loss to No. 10 Ferris State on Thursday by rattling off three straight sweeps, defeating Purdue Northwest and Minnesota State on Friday before completing the tournament with Saturday's win over the Prairie Stars (0-3).
Brooke Gennerman once again led the way for MSU Denver, finishing with a match-high 15 kills on a .433 hitting percentage. Gennerman added eight digs, tied the team lead with three service aces and recorded one block assist.
Five different Roadrunners combined for the team's 39 kills as MSU Denver hit .309 as a team while limiting Illinois Springfield to a .065 hitting percentage.
Hayden Liebsack added eight kills, seven digs and one service ace, while Kamdyn Scott finished with seven kills and a team-best .583 hitting percentage.
Mia Accomazzo was strong defensively with a team-high 11 digs and also tied Gennerman for the team lead with three service aces. Setter GabriElle Brewer directed the Roadrunners' offense with 27 assists while contributing six digs, two block assists and one service ace.
MSU Denver controlled the match from start to finish, winning the opening set 25-18 before taking the final two sets by identical 25-15 scores. The Roadrunners hit .400 in the opening set and combined for 30 kills over the final two sets.
MSU Denver will now return home to host the annual Colorado Premier Challenge at the Auraria Event Center. The Roadrunners will open the prestigious tournament on Friday against No. 21 Angelo State and No. 22 Bentley.
