Indianapolis, Ind. – The Drake University volleyball team swept Montana in the Hampton Inn Invitational opener (25-19, 25-21, 25-20) inside the IUPUI Gymnasium on the campus of IUPUI on Friday, Sept. 2. Drake improved to 3-1 overall while Montana dropped to 2-2.
 
"I'm very proud of our team today," head coach Darrin McBroom said. "Montana is a good program with tall talented players. Our offense ran smoothly and our defense was impressive. We also demonstrated an ability to take the lead and maintain it in the first two sets. Then, our team showed the ability to come from behind in the third set."
 
Macy DeLeye delivered a serve that found the floor for an ace and early 8-4 advantage in set one. A kill by Mariana Rodrigues and back-to-back Montana attack errors pushed Drake ahead 13-7 during the opening set.
 
The Grizzlies trimmed the deficit to 19-17 until the Bulldogs responded with five consecutive points (Ashlynn Kuhn kill followed by four Montana attack errors). Another errant attack by the Griz sealed a 25-19 win in the opening set.
 
With the second set even at 5-5, Macy DeLeye embarked on a serving run that led to seven straight Bulldog points. The run was capped off by a Rodrigues kill teed up by Addison Beagle. The freshman setter from Liberty, Mo., set up Kuhn for a kill as Drake controlled a 21-16 lead.
 
Montana attempted to close the gap again, trailing 23-21 until a Kuhn Kill and Griz attack error finished the second set in favor of the Bulldogs.
 
Drake aimed for the sweep but fell into an early hole in set three. Montana led 13-10 before Haley Bush ripped back-to-back kills that proved to be the spark needed. If you blinked, Drake was ahead 17-14 after Rodrigues slammed the ball to the hardwood past two diving Grizzlies. Rodrigues ended the match and secured the win with a kill assisted by Jada Wills.
 
The Hampton Inn Invitational continues Saturday, Sept. 3 as Drake takes on tournament host IUPUI at 11:30 a.m. (CT) before facing Saint Francis at 2:30 p.m. (CT).
 
NOTES

• Drake earned its second straight sets victory of the season.
• Drake held Montana to .108 team hitting efficiency.
• Drake registered its .266 team hitting percentage, its highest of the season.
• Mariana Rodrigues led Drake in kills for the third time this season with 18.
• Haley Bush recorded 11 kills and 14 digs.
• Ashlynn Kuhn contributed eight kills and seven total blocks.
• Jada Wills had 10 digs.
• The head-to-head series against Montana is now even, 2-2.
• The Bulldogs avenged last season's five-set loss to Montana on Sept. 11, 2021, in Grand Forks, N.D.