RIPON, Wisconsin — The Ripon volleyball program ran its win streak to five in the opening match of the annual Red Hawks Invitational on Friday afternoon before falling in the nightcap inside Weiske Gymnasium.
 
Ripon (6-4) handled Maranatha Baptist (4-2) in straight sets in the early match (25-23, 25-14, 25-21) before falling to Carroll (5-5) in three sets as well (25-21, 25-18, 25-16).
 
In the opener, the Red Hawks got off to an auspicious start as the Sabercats scored the first seven points of the match before Ripon settled in, using a late 3-0 run when MBU led 23-22 to pull ahead and steal the first set. Set two was dominated by Ripon, while set three was a back-and-forth affair. With the set tied at 19, the Red Hawks rattled off four consecutive points, highlighted by a kill from Ellie Ove, to take control and win the match.
 
Lydia Ellis had a match-high 12 kills to lead the squad, while Ove was also in double-digits with 10. Emily Braun spread the wealth with 23 assists. Karly Riverdahl was the primary setter in the third set, accumulating 9 kills in the third set alone.
 
Sam Thrasher led Ripon defensively with 16 digs, while Haylee Kast chipped in 13.
 
In the team statistics, Ripon had advantages in kills (38-25), aces (10-7) and assists (35-24). Blocks were in Maranatha's favor, 6-4.
 
In the nightcap, Carroll was impressive after winning a five-set bout just 30 minutes prior. Ripon was in an early 13-4 hole in the first set and was never able to recover.
 
In the second set, the Red Hawks held a 13-12 lead after a kill by Ove before the Pioneers rattled off six consecutive points to grab an 18-13 lead and take control of set two.
 
In the final frame, it was all Carroll and a 7-0 run with the set tied at 11 aided in the set win and the match sweep.
 
Ripon trailed in every team category but once again got positive contributions from Ellis (9 kills, .471 hitting), Kast (7 kills, 6 digs, 3 service aces) and Braun (21 assists, 11 digs). Lainie Heizler contributed a career-high 3 blocks.
 
Ripon has two more matches on Saturday (September 16) to round out the five-team tournament. The Red Hawks' first match of the day is at noon against Nebraska Wesleyan in Weiske Gymnasium.
 
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