WSC volleyball knocks off third straight ranked foe to win Colorado Premier Challenge
After four wins, including three against ranked foes, the 15th-ranked Wayne State volleyball team might have a dramatically different number next to its name next week.
By News Channel Nebraska
DENVER, Colo. -- The 15th-ranked Wayne State volleyball team might have a far different number in front of its name next week.
The Wildcats won two matches against ranked opponents on Saturday in dramatically different fashions, completing a 4-0 weekend at the Colorado Premier Challenge. Wayne State's final three matches in the event were against teams ranked 12th or better in the country.
WSC started the day with a five-set rally against No. 12 West Texas A&M. Pierce native Maggie Brahmer logged a career-high 20 kills to help the Wildcats battle back from a 2-1 deficit after the third set. Brahmer also matched a career high with 10 blocks.
The Wildcats followed that up with a sweep of conference rival Concordia-St. Paul, the sixth-ranked team in the country. WSC won the first set comfortably against the Golden Bears, 25-17, before surviving a pair of back-and-forth sets. The Wildcats won by a 25-23 score in each of the final two frames.
Kelcie Cada, who had a team-high 15 kills and 11 digs against CSP, was one of four Wildcats named to the All-Tournament team. Rachel Walker, Taya Beller and Tournament MVP Brahmer all joined Cada in the honors.
Earlier in the tournament, Wayne State had also knocked Azusa Pacific and fifth-ranked West Florida, giving the Wildcats a 4-0 mark in the tournament. WSC is 8-0 overall, with all of the Wildcats' wins coming away from Wayne.
Wayne State will remain on the road on Monday, traveling to the Nebraska Panhandle to take on in-state rival Chadron State. The Wildcats will be at hoe for the first time this season on Friday when they officially open up NSIC play with another match against Concordia-St. Paul.