CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Case Western Reserve University volleyball team split a pair of matches, dropping a 3-0 decision against No. 3 Emory University (GA) before rebounding to earn a 3-2 win over the University of Chicago, on day one of the University Athletic Association Championship in Horsburgh Gymnasium on Friday, November 5.

Case was stymied by Emory in the day's first match by a score of 25-20, 25-12 and 25-11, as no players reached double-digits in kills. Junior middle hitter Tricia McCutchan (Hamilton, OH/Hamilton) was tops on the team with eight kills, while sophomore libero Rachel Gulasey (Cleveland, OH/Magnificat) led the team with 13 digs. Sophomore setter Breana Freeman (Geneva, OH/Geneva) also connected for 19 assists in the match.

The Spartans rebounded in their second match of the day, taking down the Maroons in a five-setter. Case dropped game one, 27-25, but rebounded to take games two and three, 25-13 and 26-24, before the Maroons pulled out a close game four 27-25 to extend the match. Case then captured the fifth set in dominant fashion, hitting .421 and winning by a score of 15-8.

Clicking on offense in the nightcap, Case received three double-digit kill performances from its frontline. Junior outside hitter Rachael Suchy (Venetia, PA/Peters Township) led the way with a match-high 17 kills against just one error, while McCutchan added 14 to the Spartan attack. Sophomore middle hitter/right side Allie Palmer (Avon Lake, OH/Avon Lake) also chipped in with 10 kills on the evening.

Freeman produced 44 assists to lead the offense, while four different Spartans reached double-figures in digs.  Gulasey posted a team-high 21, while senior outside hitter Beth Karpinski (Avon Lake, OH/Avon Lake) added 15. Freeman and Kara Monnin (Minster, OH/Minster) had 14 apiece as the Spartans improved to 6-4 in five set matches.

The Spartans will now need a victory versus eighth-seeded University of Rochester (NY) tomorrow to qualify for the third-place match against the loser of the Washington University (MO) versus New York University match.

Day two is set to begin tomorrow with the final four pool play matches at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., respectively. Crossover play will start at 2:00 p.m., leading up to the championship match at 4:00 p.m. at Horsburgh Gymnasium.