(9) Midland Tops Volleyball in GPAC Opener

Volleyball played their first home match of the season on Wednesday evening as they hosted No. 9 Midland (Neb.) in the Haddix Center. The Tigers gave the Warriors all they could handle early on but in the end, Midland posted a three-set victory. Game scores were 25-20, 25-15, and 25-19.

Doane jumped out to an 11-7 lead in the opening set before a 4-0 run by Midland tied the match. The Tigers kept the set tight until a 9-2 run allowed Midland to build a five-point advantage. The teams alternated on taking points over the final six rallies.

Midland jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the second set only to see Doane answer with a 11-1 run for a 12-7 lead. The Warriors answered back with six straight points to take a one point lead but Doane took the next three for a 15-13 advantage. The final 12 points went to the Warriors.

In the third set, the Tigers jumped out to an 8-4 lead and held strong to keep in range of Midland, at 15-all. The Warriors had one last push, a pair of 4-0 runs that would be the difference in the set.

For the match, Taylor Sluka led the Tigers with seven kills. Doane finished with 23 kills as a team but finished with a negative attack percentage. The team's blocking attack gave the Warriors some struggles at times as Doane finished with 11.0 team blocks. Olivia Navarro led the way with six assist blocks. Sophia McKinney led the team with 20 digs.

It is a short turnaround for the Tigers as they will travel to No. 13 Bellevue tomorrow (Thursday) for a 7 PM clash with the Bruins.