BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology volleyball team upset eighth-ranked Millikin University Saturday afternoon at the Barker Chevrolet Classic hosted by Illinois Wesleyan. Millikin is the highest ranked opponent that the Fightin' Engineers have ever defeated in volleyball program history. Millikin is also the second top-25 opponent that Rose-Hulman has earned a victory against this fall.
The Big Blue of Millikin jumped out to an early two sets to one lead by set scores of 25-21, 23-25, and 25-20. The Fightin' Engineers rallied in sets four and five by scores of 25-20, and 15-10, securing the biggest upset in program history. Millikin entered Saturday's game with an overall record of 11-1. Rose-Hulman was 0-17 all-time against the Big Blue before Saturday's historic upset.
In the win Bailey MacInnis contributed 15 kills. Freshman Grace Beach added 14 kills. Katie Orbeta and Alison Rogozinski collected 21 and 16 assists respectively. Gabi Razma collected 25 digs in the win.
Rose-Hulman had a very quick turnaround as the Fightin' Engineers played No. 25 Cornell College in the second game of the day at the Barker Chevrolet Classic. The Rams defeated RHIT in straight sets by scores of 25-18, 27-25, and 25-21.
Beach and MacInnis lead the Rose-Hulman attack in game two with 12 and 10 kills respectively. Katie Orbeta finished the match with 20 assists and Gabi Razma reached double-figures in digs with 12.
Following the tournament, Razma captured a spot on the Illinois Wesleyan all-tournament team.
The Saturday split moved Rose-Hulman's overall record to 10-8. RHIT will host Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference-foe Manchester on Wednesday September 27 at 7 pm.
