Drew University Athletics

UNION, N.J. – The Drew University women's volleyball team split a pair of matches on the opening day of the Kean University Invitational Friday evening.
 
The Rangers opened the night by rallying from a 2-1 deficit to beat Hunter College in a thrilling five-setter, winning 25-16, 18-25, 17-25, 25-17, 15-12.
 
In Drew's second match, Salisbury University came away with a 3-0 victory, as the Sea Gulls prevailed by a 25-15, 25-16, 25-15 count.
 
Versus Hunter, sophomore Lindsey Millis turned in an incredible performance, posting 24 kills and 20 digs. It was just the fifth 20-kill, 20-dig showing in team history, and her kills total placed her in a tie for sixth in team history.
 
Junior Alyssa Rachwal also registered a big match against Hunter, notching 45 assists, 18 digs, and four aces. Senior Inaya Stanford added 10 kills while sophomore Aidyn Stone scooped 15 digs.  Freshman Maddy Baker contributed nine kills and eight digs while senior Emily Shirk pitched in with seven kills and nine digs.
 
In the deciding set, the Rangers jumped to a 6-2 and 9-4 lead, only to see the Hawks rally to go in front 11-10. Hunter led 12-11 after the two sides traded attack errors, but Drew ended the match with a 4-0 run, capped by a clinching kill from Millis.
 
Millis opened the night on fire, throwing down nine kills on 15 swings without making an error in the first set to stake the Rangers to an early 1-0 lead. After the Hawks rallied to take the lead, Millis threw down five kills in the fourth set to even the match at 2-2.
 
Against Salisbury, Shirk led the Rangers with six kills while Millis posted five kills and 10 digs. Rachwal distributed 15 assists.
 
Drew closes out action at the Kean Invitational on Saturday, when it faces Alfred University at 1 p.m. and Kean at 3 p.m.