FORT WAYNE, Ind. (LourdesAthletics.com) -- The Lourdes University women's volleyball team competed in the Liz Lykowski Memorial Tournament, hosted by Indiana Tech University, Friday-Saturday, Sept. 6-7. The Gray Wolves tallied another mark in the win column on the first day, however collected three more losses throughout the remainder of the tournament.  
  
MATCH 1  
The team started hot, taking a 3-2 victory in the first match of the tournament over Indiana University Southeast. Lourdes defeated its opponent, 25-16 to open the match before falling in the second set, 25-20.  

The third saw a back-and-forth battle between the two schools with IU-Southeast coming out on top, 25-23. The Gray Wolves then came back to stay alive in the fourth and forced a fifth set with their own 25-23 set win.

The final stanza saw the Gray Wolves hold control for most of the set, ultimately winning with a 15-8 victory to bring home the five-set thrill win.  
 
Key contributors in the win included senior Maddie White, who led with an impressive 19 kills on 43 attempts for a .349 hitting clip. Additionally, White collected 16 digs on defense. Leading in assists for the Gray Wolves was Katey Stakolich, bolstering 26 helpers in the five sets, as well as 20 digs to mark her first double-double of the season. 
 
Notable efforts included senior Alex Pak, who put up 13 kills on 43 swings, while junior Jolie Sobb contributed 11 kills on 34 attacks, while also posting 15 digs for her own double-double, her first of the season.  
 
Three members of the Gray Wolves team provided multiple service aces in the match.   
  
MATCH 2  
The second match of the day included Lourdes and the University of Rio Grande, who took a quick three sets off the Gray Wolves to close out the first day of the tournament.

Rio Grande took an early 1-0 lead, winning the first set 25-19, before taking the second, 25-20. Despite Lourdes' efforts, the Redstorm blew on, winning the match, 3-0.  
 
This time, leading the pack was Katey Stakolich and Maddie White who shared five kills, a piece. Rookie setter Rania Pavlidi posted 11 helpers for her seventh career double-digit assist match. The freshman has recorded double figure assists in every match she has appeared in.   
 
MATCH 3  
The second day of the Liz Lykowski Memorial Tournament opened with a nail-biting first set that saw Indiana University Northwest top the Gray Wolves, 25-23 before taking the second set 25-15 for a 2-0 lead.

Lourdes kept its fight, seeing the light of day in the fourth set after defeating the RedHawks 25-23 in the third set to stay alive. Firing on all cylinders, the two teams battled in a set that went to the 30^th point, in favor of Lourdes, who won the fourth set 30-28.

Despite great efforts, the Gray Wolves accepted their fate when they fell in the fifth set, 15-9, to take the overall, 3-2 loss.  
 
Producing a team-leading 16 kills was Jolie Sobb, who collected her second double-double of the tournament by adding in 30 digs on defense. Rania Pavlidi stayed on trend, earning her 10 assists, but it was Katey Stakolich who led with 13.  
  
MATCH 4 
The closing match of the tournament for the Gray Wolves was against Olivet Nazarene University, who defeated Lourdes in three straight sets, 27-25, 25-18, 25-18.   
 
Alex Pak shined bright for the Gray Wolves, turning in a team-leading 12 kills. Katey Stakolich controlled the attack with 23 for her third 20-plus helpers match this season.  

Three players contributed double-digit digs in the performance.   
 
UP NEXT   
The Gray Wolves will return to action Wednesday, Sept. 11, for the 2024 season-opener, as Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play will ramp back up with Lourdes hosting Lawrence Tech University inside the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center. The first serve is set for 7 pm in Sylvania, Mich.   
 
FOLLOW US   
For the most up-to-date information on the Gray Wolves, continue to visit LourdesAthletics.com and follow the main athletics social media accounts, including Twitter (@lourdessports), Instagram (@lourdesathletics), and Facebook (Lourdes Athletics).   
Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@LourdesVolley) and Instagram (@lourdesvolleyball).