Hawks are headed back to the Elite Eight in Florida

Box Score For the second time in three years, the Rockhurst volleyball team is headed to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. The Hawks upset fourth-ranked Lewis, 3-1, to capture their second Midwest Regional championship Saturday night in Romeoville, Illinois.

The Hawks (31-7) will advance to the national quarterfinals in Pensacola, Florida. Rockhurst will play an undetermined opponent on Thursday, December 7, at the University of West Florida Field House.

The victory was redemption after losing to Lewis, 3-2, in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championship game two weeks ago.

"I thought our defense was the key to our victory," said Rockhurst coach Tracy Rietzke. "We dug a lot of balls. We kept the ball in play."

Rockhurst capped off the night with a 29-27 win in the fourth set after rallying from a 20-13 deficit. Emily Matio posted a kill to end the set and match in favor of the Hawks.

"We chipped away in the fourth set. We put pressure on them. That is a huge comeback on a great team," added Rietzke, who improved his career wins total to 1,211.

Karli Reichert led the Hawks with 17 kills and four blocks. Alyssa Woodman finished with 14 kills and 13 digs. Matio tallied 10 kills and three blocks. Mary Rolf and Audrey Arand combined for 16 kills and six blocks.

Grace Carter collected 51 assists and 19 digs. Anne Hellwege had a team-high 22 digs. Kalie Arnold added 14 digs.

Reichert, Woodman and Carter were named to the Midwest Region All-Tournament team.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Kalie Arnold: DS; 5' 4"; Sophomore; Topeka Saints

#4 Grace Carter: S / RS; 5' 11"; Junior; CYC

#3 Anne Hellwege: L; 5' 5"; Junior; Rockwood Thunder

#11 Alyssa Woodman: OH; 6' 0"; Freshman; Premier

#2 Mary Rolf: MH; 5' 11"; Freshman; Platform Elite

#6 Karli Reichert: OH / RS; 5' 11"; Freshman; Club North

#12 Emily Matio: MH; 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore; Munciana

Players Mentioned

#5 Kalie Arnold
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; Topeka Saints
: DS

#4 Grace Carter
: 5' 11"; Junior; CYC
: S / RS

#3 Anne Hellwege
: 5' 5"; Junior; Rockwood Thunder
: L

#11 Alyssa Woodman
: 6' 0"; Freshman; Premier
: OH

#2 Mary Rolf
: 5' 11"; Freshman; Platform Elite
: MH

#6 Karli Reichert
: 5' 11"; Freshman; Club North
: OH / RS

#12 Emily Matio
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore; Munciana
: MH