DECATUR, Ill. - Carroll University women's volleyball returned to the win column Friday night, defeating Millikin University in four sets inside the Griswold P.E. Center.
Carroll came out firing in the opening set, using a five-point run to grab an early 7-2 advantage. The Pioneers continued to build their lead, with back-to-back service aces from Kylie Wittnebel extending the advantage to 10-4. Millikin attempted to battle back, but the Pioneers closed out the opening set 25-17, capped off by an Ashley Miller service ace.
The Big Blue responded in the second set, jumping out to an early 12-3 advantage. Carroll struggled to find its offensive rhythm as Millikin continued to build its lead, eventually taking the frame 25-11 to even the match at one set apiece.
The third set proved to be the turning point of the night, featuring 15 ties and six lead changes. Carroll held a 17-14 advantage before Millikin responded with four consecutive points to take an 18-17 lead. The two teams continued trading points down the stretch, with Millikin eventually reaching set point at 24-25. Hicklin delivered a crucial kill to even the score at 25, followed by a Samantha Miserendino service ace to give Carroll the advantage. Wittnebel then delivered the finishing kill to secure a thrilling 27-25 victory and give the Pioneers a 2-1 match lead.
Carroll carried that momentum into the fourth set, jumping out to a 3-0 advantage and never trailing in the frame. Millikin cut the deficit to 17-14, but Carroll responded with three consecutive points to regain control. Leading 21-16, the Pioneers closed the match with four straight points, including two Rosenbaum service aces, to secure the 25-16 victory.
Carroll finished the night with 48 kills, hitting .158 as a team while adding nine service aces, 52 digs and five total blocks. The Pioneers held Millikin to a .148 hitting percentage, including a -.065 mark in the fourth set.
Audrey Rosenbaum led the Pioneer attack with 13 kills, seven digs, two service aces and three block assists. Carly Hicklin followed with 11 kills, 15 digs and a match-high three service aces. Lexi Proctor contributed eight kills, 20 assists and five digs, while Wittnebel added seven kills, two service aces and three total blocks. Ashley Miller led Carroll with 21 assists, while Miserendino anchored the Pioneer defense with a match-high 18 digs.
The Pioneers continue their busy weekend in Decatur, Illinois, with two more matches on Saturday, beginning with Nebraska Wesleyan at Noon.
