Alyssa Hasler set the program's career blocking record on Saturday on day two of the Capital Classic, presented by Crowne Plaza/Holiday Inn Express. The University of Illinois Springfield volleyball team could not get a team victory though on the day with two competitive losses to Missouri Western and Northern Michigan.
Hasler came into the day with 440 blocks, one shy of Audra Roach's record which was set from 2003-2006. She tied and then broke the record on back-to-back plays early in the second set against Missouri Western, and finished the tournament with a total of 450 career blocks. Hasler, who finished third in the nation last year in block, has recorded 53 solo blocks in her career, and 397 assisted blocks.
Against Missouri Western, the Prairie Stars fell by scores of 25-23, 25-23, and 25-22. UIS had more kills and digs in the close match, but the Griffons made seven fewer hitting errors.
Brianna Bush continued her hot hitting by having 13 kills and a .314 hitting percentage. Hasler had 12 kills on the day.
Tiffany Wentworth had 50 assists, and
Jailyn Borum led the team with 28 digs.
The final match of the Capital Classic was the best one of the event, as Northern Michigan and UIS played a thrilling five-set contest. The Wildcats won the first two sets, but the Prairie Stars fought back and won sets three and four.
In the fifth set, UIS ran out to a 9-3 lead, but a 9-1 run by Northern Michigan gave it the advantage, and it was able to put the contest away on its second match point.
UIS had a better hitting percentage and six more blocks in the contest. The Wildcats had 19 more kills though after attempting 25 more attacks. Northern Michigan also had 69 digs, 13 more than the Prairie Stars.
Bush and Hasler each had 13 kills, followed by
Alli Splitt with nine and
Rachel Cobert with eight. Wentworth collected 42 assists. Defensively, Borum had 20 digs, and Splitt led the team with eight blocks.
UIS will take a 2-2 record to Detroit, Mich. next weekend for the Warriors Classic, hosted by Wayne State.
