Fast Start Not Enough for Eureka in Four-Set Loss

EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka women's volleyball team dropped its nonconference finale in four sets to Harris-Stowe on Tuesday evening, with set scores of 25-22, 17-25, 23-25, and 23-25.

Eureka started out strong in the opening set, using an 8-0 run sparked by Lexi Liaromatis (Wilmington, Ill./Wilmington) to seize early control. During the surge, Liaromatis delivered two service aces, pushing the Red Devils ahead 9-2. Brooklyn Shell (Evansville, Ind./Mount Vernon) and Colbie Grieff (South Wilmington, Ill./Gardner South-Wilmington) each recorded kills off assists from Kaitlyn Robinson (Macomb, Ill./Macomb) during the early scoring run. Harris-Stowe rallied to tie the set at 14, but Eureka responded with a late push, including key kills from Alyssa Company (Lincoln, Ill./Lincoln Community) and Hallee Gauna (Arcola, Ill./Arcola), to close out the frame 25-22.

The Hornets responded in the second set, capitalizing on Red Devil errors and strong net play to even the match with a 25-17 win. Eureka struggled to find any rhythm offensively in the second set, hitting -.063 in the frame.

In the third set, Eureka showed better with a more consistent attack, led by Alyssa Company, who posted her second-highest kill total of the season with 18. Hallee Gauna added a career-high six total blocks, helping the Red Devils stay within striking distance. However, Harris-Stowe held on for a 25-23 win.

The fourth set mirrored the third, with Eureka battling back from an early deficit. Robinson continued to distribute effectively, finishing with 23 assists, her second-highest total of the season. Company and Maleaha Nagel (Abingdon, Ill./Abingdon-Avon) each contributed key kills down the stretch, but the Hornets closed out the match with a 25-23 victory.

Eureka finished with 45 kills and 42 assists, while Company led all scorers with 19 points. Gauna's six total blocks marked a new career best for the senior.

UP NEXT

Eureka heads to St. Louis on Saturday for a tri-match hosted by Webster, taking on Westminster at 12 p.m. and Webster at 2 p.m.