Drake Splits at Wildcat Classic

The Drake Bulldogs split two matches at the Wildcat Classic this past weekend.

Drake started things with a 27-25, 25-23, 18-25, 18-25, 15-5 victory over Cal State Northridge.

The Bulldogs fell behind 4-0 in the first set and battled back to tie the score at 12 on a Matthea Dalton ace. CSN regained momentum with a 10-6 run, but three Lisa Melenciano kills and one from Caroline Smith made for a 22-22 set. A Melenciano/Aniyah Davis block gave Drake the lead, but CSN answered with a kill. The teams exchanged missed serves before a Melenciano/Bliss Beck block gave the Bulldogs set point. CSN answered with a block from Katie Kolar and Tatiana Turgeon. Drake then clinched the match with kills from Beck and Dalton.

The Bulldogs fell behind 7-3 in the second set, fought back to 10-10, fell behind 10-14, came back to 17-17 and a Melenciano/Bliss block and Smith kill gave Drake a 19-17 advantage on the way to the set victory.

CSN controlled the third set after a 4-1 start. The Bulldogs fell behind 7-2 in the fourth set, but battled back to 13-13 and 15-15 before CSN regained momentum.

Drake earned the match victory after a 7-0 start to the fifth set.

The Bulldogs ended the weekend in rough fashion with a 25-17, 25-13, 25-20 loss to Kansas State. After struggling in the first two sets, Drake fell behind 8-4 in the third. A Melenciano kill brought them to within 12-11, but that was the highlight of the match.

Drake is now 2-3 for the season.

Tournament leaders for Drake were: kills – Melenciano 40, Smith 15, Dalton 12, Kamryn Behrns 10, Beck and Davis nine and Shay McMillen and Carolyn Maser two; assists – Katie Quick 52, Maser 26 and Jasmine Dulan 12; blocks – Melenciano 11, Davis eight and Beck four; digs – Dulan 49, Quick 25, Dalton 19, Maser 12, Smith 10 and Bella Faria nine.