GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Louisiana Tech volleyball team dropped a pair of tough decisions to Eastern Washington and Western Carolina to close out the UND Classic on Saturday afternoon. For her efforts throughout the weekend, junior outside hitter Kaitlyn Adams was named to the UND Classic All-Tournament Team – posting 51 kills and 3.64 kills per set – both team-highs.
 
Match 1
 
The Lady Techsters fell in the first match of the day, 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-20), to the Eastern Washington Eagles.
 
In a déjà vu-like match outcome, Tech once again began the match with strength, taking the first set, just as it had done in the previous meetup between the two squads.
 
In the first frame, both teams went back and forth early on, before EWU put together the first substantial run of the match – a 5-0 burst, extending the lead to 13-8. However, bit by bit, the Techsters chipped away at the deficit, and utilized a 3-0 run to take their first lead since 1-0 at 23-22. Then a combo block from Emily Boylan and Lara Hendricks, and a final kill from Hendricks put the first set in the bag – a 25-22 triumph for Tech.
 
However, in the second frame, the Eagles would trail only once (1-0) and were propelled by a 6-0 run to extend their lead to 13-7 early on. Tech made a 5-0 run of its own to draw to within three at 16-13, and then a 3-0 run to draw even at 18. Then, the Eagles would respond, taking seven of the last nine points to even up the match.
 
In the third, EWU took advantage of a couple 4-0 runs to take a 10-3 lead early on. Tech would slowly but surely claw its way back and eventually took its first lead of the frame at 22-21. However, four of the next five points went the Eagles' way, and Tech found itself trailing 2-1.
 
In the fourth, the lead changed hands seven different times as neither team led by more than five points. EWU would eventually take the set, 25-20, and the match, 3-1.
 
Despite the 3-1 setback, Tech found itself even with the Eagles in several stat categories. Both teams posted 56 kills as well as six blocks apiece. Tech finished the match hitting .171, while EWU hit .217.
 
Hendricks led all players with 20 kills, while hitting an impressive .340. Her 10 digs were also second-most on the team. Abigail Hildenbrand distributed 49 assists, while Alyssa Zucco led the way with 29 digs. Emily Boylan contributed four blocks, while Kaitlyn Adams (10 kills) and Jordyn Carswell (eight kills) each added valuable offensive contributions.
 
Match 2
 
In the first set, Tech continued its theme of starting quick, as the squad raced out to an early 6-2 lead. For the first 18 points, Tech did not trail, until the Catamounts put together a few mini runs, and took a 10-9 lead, which they extended as large as four on multiple occasions.
 
Tech freshman Jordyn Carswell gave the team a late lift with back-to-back kills, cutting the Western Carolina lead to 20-18, but the Catamounts ended the frame on a 5-1 run and took the opening set, 25-19.
 
In the second set, Tech pieced together one of its best stretches of the weekend, notching 10 consecutive points, to take a 13-7 lead midway through the frame. However, over the course of the next 16 points, the Catamounts slowly drew to within striking distance, and took a 19-18 lead, which they would not relinquish on the way to a 25-23 triumph. Tech admirably fought off a pair of set points late, but a kill from WCU's Hannah Price closed out the frame.
 
In the third set, both teams went tooth and nail, with neither leading by more than three throughout the entire set. Tech knotted the set up at 21 all courtesy of some clutch kills from Adams, who finished with a team-high 13, while striking at a .435 clip (13-3-23).
 
With the score even at 21, Western Carolina took four of the next six points en route to a 25-23 set win, and claiming a 3-0 decision in the match.
 
Tech returns to action next Friday against Mississippi State to kick off the South Alabama weekend tournament. Stay tuned to LATechSports.com for all information and breaking news regarding the Lady Techsters.