WILLIAMSBURG, KY - The women's volleyball team opened their 2023 season with two wins and two losses at the Cumberlands Invite in Williamsburg, KY over the weekend. The tournament saw several new faces hit the floor for the Trailblazers as well as a core group of returners. Freshman Morgan Blakeman made a big impact in her first games with the team and was named to the All-Tournament team at the end of the weekend.

The Trailblazers opened play against Bryan College on Friday and snuck away with their first win after five sets, 25-16, 10-25, 25-18, 22-25, 17-15. The team showed their grit as Bryan was a very even statistical match. Freshman Alexa Mader made her mark early with a team-high 11 kills with zero errors for a .423 hitting percentage. Blakeman was just behind her with ten kills and three blocks. Junior Madison Blickenstaff had nine kills and four blocks. 

Ohio Christian finished up Friday with a loss to the host team, University of the Cumberlands, 3-0 (23-25, 17-25, 15-25). Blakeman led the Trailblazers with seven kills.

The Trailblazers couldn't top Tennesse Southern on Saturday, falling 3-1 (24-26, 17-25, 25-21, 18-25). Mader came up with another 11 kills to lead her side. Rylee Barr had 26 assists and three service aces while Blakeman added ten kills to her weekend total.

The squad finished out the weekend with their second win over Union College 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-21). Blakeman led the way once again with 11 kills while Blickenstaff and Josie Buck came up with seven each. Barr had 23 assists to finish the weekend. 

Next up, the Trailblazers take on Kentucky Christian University in their home opener on Tuesday, August 29^th at 7 p.m.