Carthage 3, Millikin 2 (21-25, 25-17, 25-19, 20-25, 15-12)
DECATUR, Ill. – The Carthage women's volleyball team battled through five sets on the road Wednesday night, taking down Millikin inside the Griswold P.E. Center to earn its 19th win of the season.



Millikin opened strong in the first set, using a balanced attack from Delaney Higgins and Gabriella Ricci to build an early lead. Carthage rallied to within 22-20 behind kills from Kristina Manojlovic and Emma Crow, but Millikin held on for the 25-21 win.

Carthage regrouped quickly in the second, breaking an early 5-5 tie with a six-point run sparked by kills from Madilyn Danielson and a service ace by Tatum Kebisek. The Firebirds controlled the rest of the frame behind steady setting from Ava Dettwiler and crisp defense from Jenna Damon, closing it out 25-17 to even the match.

The third set saw Carthage ride its momentum to take command. Manojlovic and Crow combined for eight kills, and the Firebirds hit .270 as a team. Key blocks from Boston and Danielson helped the squad build separation late, sealing the set 25-19 and taking a 2-1 match lead.

Millikin refused to go quietly, answering with a 25-20 win in the fourth. The Big Blue capitalized on early errors and used timely kills from Higgins to force a deciding fifth set.

In the race to 15, Carthage struck first with strong serving from Damon and clutch kills by Wierzgac and Dettwiler. The Firebirds held a narrow 14-12 lead before closing on a kill from Danielsen to end the set 15-12.


 

• Kristina Manojlovic - 13 kills, 20 digs
• Ava Dettwiler - 28 assists, 11 kills, 11 digs
• Katie Boston - 7 total blocks

"Great win on the road against a tough Millikin team!" exclaimed Head Coach Leanne Ulmer. "Madi Danielson came up clutch with a big solo block and the final kill to secure the win. We got off to a slow start defensively in set one and had only 1 block.  After that we had 12 blocks. Our two freshman starters, Emma Crow and Hailey Wierzgac had their best matches of the year.  Katie Boston came up with some clutch kills and big blocks. Ava Dettwiler had some big kills and great service runs. Jenna Damon, Tina Manojlovic, Cassidy Stahl and Madi Danielson all did a great job on serve receive. Tina had some clutch swings throughout the night. Tatum Kebisek had some great hustle plays and along with Della Walsh and Ava ran a good offense.  Big CCIW match on the road at Carroll on Friday!"




The Firebirds (19-11, 4-3 CCIW) return to action on Friday, Nov. 7 as the squad closes out the regular season in Waukesha, Wis against Carroll at 7 p.m. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.