GREENCASTLE, Ind. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology topped Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference preseason favorite Hanover College in four sets before falling to No. 24 ranked Millikin in three at the DePauw University Invitational on Friday night.
In the opener, Rose-Hulman topped the Panthers from Hanover 23-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-13 in a technically non-conference matchup. Sophomore Bailey MacInnis led the offense with 16 kills and a .385 hitting percentage. Junior Becca Poppel also reached double figures with 10 kills.
Junior Alison Rogozinski had a team-high 25 assists in the opener, and freshman Katie Orbeta added 20 assists. Rogozinski contributed three service aces, with Orbeta adding two.
Defensively, junior Gabi Razma tallied 25 digs and Poppel recorded 22 for the Fightin' Engineers. Freshman Adekite Oladipupo had 18 digs, while Rogozinski tallied 17.
MacInnis and senior Emily McLendon led the blocking performance against Hanover with two solos each. McLendon had one block assist, with junior Mackenzie Gossard adding three block assists.
In the nightcap, Millikin relied on a strong performance to record a 25-18, 25-10, 25-19 victory. MacInnis recorded seven kills to lead the Fightin' Engineers, and Rogozinski led the assist effort with nine.
Defensively, Razma led the team with 15 digs and Rogozinski reached double figures with 10. McLendon recorded three block assists, with MacInnis contributing two.
Rose-Hulman stands 5-6 on the season and faces No. 6 ranked Hope and in-state foe Trine on Saturday at the DePauw Invitational.
