The Wayne State volleyball team improved their overall record to 5-3 after coming out 2-1 this past weekend in the 2017 Steel and Silver Classic in Pueblo and Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Wildcats opened up the tournament with a 3-2 win, rallying past non-conference opponent CSU-Pueblo on Friday afternoon. The first set saw 11 ties and six lead changes, losing the first set 23-25. WSC bounced back in the second set winning 25-13, using four service aces. The ’Cats
trailed in the third set 20-25. In the fourth, the ’Cats gained momentum, with help from sophomore Katie Stephens, who led the ’Cats with six kills and no errors on 11 attacks in the set. In the final set, the Wildcats overcame an early 7-3 deficit to rally for a 15-12 win in the fifth set, winning the match 3-2.

“Our team is keeping a positive outlook on the season and continuing to learn and work together every day,” said sophomore Morgan Alexander.

In the second game of the Steel and Silver Classic on Friday, the ’Cats faced Texas A&M Commerce dominating 3-1. The ’Cats rolled in the first set winning 25-13 with just one attack error. The ’Cats built on
the momentum from the first set to win 25-20 in the second. Maria Wortman, junior, had four kills in just seven attempts. The ’Cats struggled in the third set causing them to fall 18-25. The fourth set was a tight battle that had 11 ties and seven lead changes. The ’Cats closed out the match with a kill from redshirt freshman Jaci Brahmer,
resulting in a 25-23 win.

On the second day of the tournament, the ’Cats traveled to Colorado Springs to face UC-Colorado Springs. The ’Cats lost 0-3 in the match. Senior Erin Gross led WSC with nine kills. Freshman Hope Carter helped the Wildcat back row with 12 digs and sophomore Haley Kauth added 11.

In the final game of the Steel and Silver Classic, the ’Cats faced #22 Colorado Mines, falling 1-3 Saturday afternoon. Junior setter Megan Gebhardt added 30 assists for WSC in the match.

“This upcoming week in practice we need to focus on bouncing back and learning from our mistakes,” Senior Erin Gross said. “There is always going to be off days but it is how you get better in practice and how you bounce back.”

Wayne State opens Northern Sun Conference play at home Thursday evening, hosting the University of Sioux Falls in a 6 p.m. match in Rice Auditorium.