BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology compiled a 1-1 record in day one of the Illinois Wesleyan University Volleyball Invitational on Friday afternoon.
The Fightin' Engineers opened the tournament with a 27-25, 25-21, 25-14 victory over Texas Lutheran for their 10th win of the season. Grace Beach led the Rose-Hulman offense with 13 kills. Marissa Gollnick added nine kills for the Engineer offense.
Katie Orbeta had a team-high 34 digs, and the duo of Gollnick and Orbeta had two service aces each. Katryna Dahlberg recorded a team-high 23 digs, with Adekite Oladipupo contributing 14 digs.
In the nightcap, Williams improved to 7-2 on the season with a narrow 25-23, 25-18, 25-22 win over the Engineers. Orbeta had a team-high eight kills, followed by Bailey MacInnis with seven and Beach with six. Orbeta also had a team-high 22 assists.
Gollnick led the defense with 16 digs, followed by Orbeta with 15 and Dahlberg with 11. Maria Bruner provided strong blocking across the front line with two block solos and six assists. Gollnick added four block assists.
Rose-Hulman stands 10-7 on the season and returns to action Saturday against No. 6 ranked Trinity (Texas).
