University of St. Thomas Athletics
5-17,1-10Summit League
Denver
9-10,8-3Summit League
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Tommies nearly complete comeback in five-set thriller
10/26/2023 9:29:00 PM | Volleyball
St. Thomas falls to Denver 14-25, 17-25, 25-20, 25-21, 14-16
DENVER, Colo. - Tommie Volleyball nearly completed a thrilling five-set comeback Thursday night during a loss at Denver (14-25, 17-25, 25-20, 25-21, 14-16).
Sophomore Tezra Rudzitis led the Tommies with 13 kills along with career highs of six block assists and five aces, with three in a row coming in the third set. Rudzitis' five service aces ties the program's all-time single-match record with teammate Emma Goerger. Freshman Morgan Kealy led the team with 25 assists and added career highs of seven kills and four block assists.
RECAP
The comeback began in the third set despite Denver opening with a 5-1 lead and eventually a 20-13 advantage. A DU attack error was the start of 12 straight points from the Tommies that included four service aces from Rudzitis, including three straight to tie the set at 20 apiece. Kills from senior Ellie Dammann and Kealy along with three Denver attack errors completed the Tommie win heading into the fourth set.
A kill by junior Libby Mattila and Rudzitis, as well as a service ace by Kopp, helped the Purple to a 4-3 lead to start the fourth set. Going back-and-forth for a 10-9 game, the Tommies pulled ahead 14-10 behind two blocks by Rudzitis and Kealy, paired with a kill by both. Three assists by Kealy helped keep the lead, 18-13. Each team continued to match the other point-for-point before Dammann's sixth and final kill forced a fifth set.
An error by the Pioneers and a kill by Rudzitis gave the Tommies a 2-1 lead to start the shortened set. Three straight by Denver gave them the lead but Mattila stopped the run with a kill. A 5-1 run gave the Pioneers a a 9-4 advantage before the Tommies closed the gap, 11-9, with two blocks and a service ace. The Pioneers extended their lead to match point, 14-11, while an error was the start of a quick 3-0 run, including one of Kealy's seven kills, to tie the set. Back-to-back blocks secured the Denver win.
TOP TOMMIES
- Sophomore Tezra Rudzitis led the team with 21 points, six blocks, and five aces, marking career highs in all. She also led the team with 13 kills and hit .346 or better for the second straight match.
- Freshman Morgan Kealy led the team with 25 assists, also adding career highs of seven kills, four block assists, and 10 points.
- Freshman Ellie Gustafson had 10 kills on the night and two assists.
UP NEXT
The Tommies are back in Schoenecker Arena the next three games, with the first on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 12 p.m. against the University of North Dakota for their second and final matchup this year. They continue at home the following week playing South Dakota on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. and Omaha on Saturday, Nov. at 12 p.m.
