KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan's (2-0) balance on offense and defense led the Broncos to a 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-16) victory over the Navy volleyball team (0-2), Saturday evening at Read Field House in Kalamazoo, Mich. The match came on the middle day of the three-day season-opening tournament hosted by the Broncos.
Western Michigan, which played in the Mid-American Conference Tournament title match a year ago, saw five players register between six and nine kills, three finish with at least 10 digs and three record at least three blocks.
"The numbers might not show it," said Navy head coach
Paco Labrador, "but our ball control was much better tonight. Credit Western's defense; they handled our offense and converted in transition at an extremely high level."
Set One
The Broncos scored six of the first seven points of the match before the Mids made it a three-point set at 9-6. Western Michigan promptly opened up a 15-7 lead to take control of the frame.
Set Two
Navy held an 8-5 lead in the early going, then Western Michigan tied the set at 8-8 as part of a 13-1 run that boosted the Broncos to an 18-9 advantage.
Set Three
The set was tied at 4-4 when the Broncos scored the next four points to open up an 8-4 lead. Navy closed to within three points at 8-5, 9-6 and 10-7, but the Broncos then built leads of 13-7 and 19-8.
Statistical Summary
Western Michigan as a team recorded 43 kills and just eight attack errors on 107 attempts for a .327 attack percentage. In contrast, Navy tallied 27 kills to go along with 22 errors on 118 swings for a .042 hitting effort. The Broncos also held leads of 3-0 in aces, 65-48 in digs and 9-3 in blocks.
Farrah Eike led the Navy offense with both nine kills (one error, 26 attempts) and a .308 hitting percentage. Defensively,
Amara Chambers grabbed a team-best 16 digs.
"Farrah was a bright spot tonight," said Labrador. "She scored on some great balls.
Siena Morgan's speed was stretching Western's blockers and that opened up some of the net for Farrah to exploit.
"We are looking forward to getting back on the court Sunday and getting better."
Up Next
Navy closes play at the tournament Sunday with an 11 a.m. match against Green Bay.
