Cats Drop A Pair In Season Opening Doubleheader

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Rust College volleyball program got its 2023 campaign underway on Friday afternoon in the Sunshine State, falling in straight sets versus (RV) Siena Heights and Cumberland (Tennessee) on the opening day of the Viper Sports Academy Classic on the campus of Keiser University.

What You Need to Know:

• Game 1 Score: (RV) Siena Heights 3 | Rust 0
• • 16-25, 10-25, 16-25

• Game 2 Score: Cumberland (Tennessee) 3 | Rust 0
• • 18-25, 20-25, 16-25

• Records: Rust (0-2, 0-0 GCAC) | (RV) Siena Heights (2-0, 0-0 Wolverine-Hoosier) | Cumberland-Tennessee (2-2, 0-0 Mid-South)

• Location: West Palm Beach, Florida (Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center)

• Siena Heights Series History (Since 2021): Siena Heights Leads 1-0 

• Cumberland (Tennessee) Series History (Since 2021): Cumberland (Tennessee) Leads 1-0

• Series History vs. Wolverine-Hoosier Opponents (Since 2021): Wolverine-Hoosier Leads 1-0

• Series History vs. Mid-South Series Opponents (Since 2021): Mid-South Leads 3-0

• Siena Heights Winning Streak: Siena Heights (W1) | Rust's Last Win: N/A

• Cumberland (Tennessee) Winning Streak: Cumberland-Tennessee (W1) | Rust's Last Win: N/A

Rust Top Performers:

• Freshman Paige Eason made the most of her first collegiate action, leading the squad in kills during both matches for nine total (1.5 p/s) while also putting together nine digs (1.5 p/s) plus a pair of service aces.

• Classmate Nyah Mason fronted the Blue and White with 16 assists (2.67 p/s) to go along with ten digs (1.67 p/s).

• Amya Madlock, one of the three returners from the 2022 roster, set a new career-high with seven digs opposite SHU, topping RC at 11 (1.83 p/s) on the doubleheader.

• The top statistical Bearcat back for another go is Deja Campbell, amassing eight digs (1.33 p/s), seven kills (1.17 p/s), an assist, and a block.

Notes:

• The Lady Bearcats were superior blockers in the second match, racking up ten rejections (8 assists, 2 solos) compared to Cumberland's (6).

Next:

• Coach Armstrong's ladies wrap up their brief stay in West Palm Beach on Saturday against the host Keiser Seahawks at 11 a.m. and (RV) St. Thomas shortly thereafter at 1 p.m., both times central.