Peoria, Ill. – The Bradley Braves celebrated Family Weekend in a big way by taking two of three in their final homestand before the conference season begins. The Braves played a doubleheader on Friday, losing in three sets to Jacksonville State in the afternoon before sweeping Central Michigan that evening. They finished up their weekend with a three-set sweep over UMKC.
Match One – Jacksonville State
Bradley couldn't get the ball to land their way as they fell to Jacksonville State in three sets on Friday afternoon (19-25, 21-25, 22-25). Both teams had a strong serving game, with each team totaling seven service aces. Irene Mostardini led the way for the Braves with three aces and added nine digs. Maria Drapp had another solid outing, leading the team with 31 assists and 10 digs while also recording a service ace and two blocks. Dakota Elliott was a defensive presence at the net, totaling five blocks while knocking down three kills. Bradley fought valiantly, but couldn't find consistent momentum throughout the match.
Match Two – Central Michigan
The Braves turned the tide in the second half of their doubleheader against Central Michigan as they swept the Chippewas in dominant fashion (25-16, 25-18, 25-21). Anna Kiss led the offense for the Braves, totaling 11 kills while also putting up a block. Tendai Titley was effective on both sides of the ball, tying for the team lead in digs with 10 while also totaling nine kills. Drapp nailed two service aces, had 33 assists, and added nine digs in yet another strong performance. The Braves established themselves early in this game, taking an 11-5 lead in the first set, and rode that momentum to snap their three-game losing skid.
Match Three – UMKC
Bradley ended the tournament with another big win over the UMKC Roos on Saturday afternoon to finish the weekend with a 2-1 record (25-17, 25-18, 25-17). Mostardini had her best game of the weekend, leading the Braves with 20 digs while also recording three assists, a kill, and a service ace. Gracie Furlong led the way for the offense, ending the game with 12 kills and a .314 hitting percentage while also totaling eight digs. Drapp continued to add to her resume for the weekend, finishing this game with 25 assists, eight digs, and four kills. UMKC kept it close through the first half of the first set, but once Bradley began to pull away, the Braves maintained control for the rest of the match.
Coming up…
The Braves will compete in the Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic hosted by Western Kentucky next weekend, marking Bradley's final non-conference tournament of the season.
