NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Tigers traveled to NOLA to participate in the 2024 Big Easy Blastoff tournament hosted by Xavier University of Louisiana. On the tournament's first day, Campbellsville battled the Loyola University Wolf Pack and the MidAmerica Nazarene University Pioneers, splitting the day.
GAME ONE: Campbellsville 3, Loyola New Orleans 1
The Wolf Pack scored the opening point and took an early five-point lead. However, the Tigers clawed their way back, tying the first set at 10-10. Both teams battled, not allowing more than a couple of points in between. Campbellsville took the first set, 25-22.
In the second, Loyola had an advantage of six points. The Tigers fought each point, but it was not enough to bounce back in the set. Campbellsville's errors gave the Wolf Pack the win, taking the second set 25-19.
After a competitive set by Loyola New Orleans and Campbellsville, the Tigers took the advantage later in the set with a six-point gap on the scoreboard. The front row stood and performed, Emily Aabey and Molly Shannon leading the kills during the set, along with good sets from Jana Krstic. After dropping the second set, the Tigers rallied to take the third set, 25-17.
The fourth set was decisive for the Wolf Pack and the Tigers. Each team scored back-to-back and did not allow a lead in the set. The Wolf Pack's errors helped the Tigers take the lead. A perfect set from Krstic and a kill by Aabey defined the match, giving Campbellsville a 27-25 win.
GAME TWO: Campbellsville 1, MidAmerica Nazarene 3
After a short break, Campbellsville hit the court again, facing MidAmerica Nazarene. Zofia Serafinowska made the first kill of the set, starting the Tigers' four-point unanswered run. It was a close set between these two teams, extending into extra points. The Tigers came up short, falling to the Pioneers 27-25.
MidAmerica Nazarene scored the first point of the second set. Both teams rallied back-and-forth, followed by the Pioneers' five-point streak. However, the Tigers came back with solid defense on the net. Campbellsville's margin of errors did not impede the Tigers from claiming the second set, ending victorious, 25-21.
Campbellsville's Libby Erwin obtained the first kill of the third set. Despite the Tigers' strategies and efforts to regain momentum, the Pioneers' defense went through the set. The third set slipped away from the Tigers, 25-22.
MidAmerica Nazarene had the advantage in the fourth set. Campbellsville retaliated, leaving the score tied. The Tigers had an opportunity to take the set; however, the Pioneers took the lead. Unfortunately, Campbellsville fell against MidAmerica Nazarene, 22-25.
The Tigers will continue their campaign in New Orleans on Saturday, August 31st, to face the Columbia College Cougars (#7) and Xavier University of Louisiana (RV). The matches are set to begin at 12 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Jana Krstic ended the day with 87 assists overall.
- Shannon led the Tigers with 20 kills for the first game, followed by Aabey with 12 and Merrick with 11.
- Today's match-up was the first time in program history the Tigers have ever faced MidAmerica Nazarene Pioneers.
