Sports
Rio Wins Three At Cumberland University Classic
By: Cody Linn
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The losing streak ended at seven games for the Rio Grande RedStorm Friday, Sept. 27. Rio, after the long drought, won three consecutive games following a loss to the Freed-Hardeman Lions as a part of this weekend’s Cumberland University Classic.
Freed-Hardeman (L 25-23, 20-25, 25-18, 25-20)
The first set was much of the same from the previous night against Cumberland, Rio showing an inability to finish. The RedStorm led by as much as six and held a 20-18 lead late in the set only to see it disappear. The Lions went on a 7-3 run to win the set.
In the second set, Rio Grande called a timeout when it was down 15-11. The timeout would prove to be a major turning point in the set, as the RedStorm went on a 8-1 run after the timeout to take a 19-16 lead. They won the set 25-20.
The Lions dominated the third set. They led by as many as 11 points, 20-9. The Red Storm took nine of the last 16, but lost the set 25-18.
The RedStorm did not go down easy in the fourth set. The lead was no more than two for either side until the Lions went on a late run. With the score tied at 17-17, the Lions took eight of the last 11 points to win the set and the match. The loss was seventh straight for the RedStorm.
The RedStorm made 26 errors in the match and had a .152 attacking percentage compared to the .255 for the Lions.
Ohio Valley (W 25-12, 20-25, 25-14, 25-22)
In the first set against the Fighting Scots, the RedStorm came out firing and set the tone for the set. They started the set on a 7-1 run. With the score at 19-10, the RedStorm went on a 6-2 run to win the set. Rio Grande only allowed Ohio Valley win consecutive points twice, dominating the set by only giving up 12 points, the second fewest points given up in a set this season.
The second set was the only slow start Rio Grande had against Ohio Valley. The Fighting Scots started the second set on a 6-1 run, however the RedStorm came storming back to tie the game at 10-10. With the game tied at 16 all, the RedStorm gave up a 9-4 run to the Fighting Scots to the end the set.
The third set was a mirror image of the first for the RedStorm. They started on a 7-0 run, however they gave up 14 points in this set as they cruised to a third set victory.
The fourth set was a dogfight for Rio Grande. After starting the set on a 6-1 run, Ohio Valley made a comeback to tie the game at 12-12. A battle ensued as the teams traded points until Ohio Valley took a two-point lead, 20-18, and Rio Grande took a timeout. The timeout paid off as the RedStorm rattled off seven of the last nine points to win the match and end its seven-game losing streak.
Kayla Briley was 3-3 on her attacks and added a game-high 29 assists. Betsy Schramm had a team-high 11 kills. The RedStorm had a stellar defensive effort, led by Nicole Ogg’s game-high 22 digs, holding the Fighting Scots to a .090 attacking percentage.
Tennessee Temple (W 25-21, 25-17, 25-17)
The first match of Saturday pitted the RedStorm against the Crusaders. After taking the first set 25-21, the RedStorm led by as many as eight in the second set. They would go on to win the set by eight, taking it by a score of 25-17.
The third set was déjà vu for Rio Grande. The RedStorm led by as many as 12 points and won the set 25-17 to win the match.
The RedStorm held the Crusaders to a 0.033 attacking percentage in the match.
Martin Methodist (W 25-18, 26-24, 25-16)
In the second match, the RedStorm jumped out to a 15-7 lead halfway through the first set. Rio Grande never looked back as it won the set by 10 points.
The RedStorm took a close second set, 26-24, and took the third set by nine points to win the match, giving them their third consecutive victory.
The RedStorm will look to extend their winning streak to four when they host the University of Pikesville on Monday. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m.