TU Tops No. 22 VCSU in Season Opener at Keiser Classic

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Taylor volleyball team opened its 2024 season with a 3-1 statement victory over No. 22 Valley City State (1-1) Friday afternoon at the Keiser Vipers Sports Academy Classic. TU then fell late Friday evening in four tightly contested sets to Cumberlands.

Grace Ieremia and the Trojans' front row defense served as the catalyst in the four-set win, as TU registered 11 total blocks (22 block assists) compared to just one total blocks for the Vikings.

Taylor trailed only once in the first two sets, when it was down 2-1 early in set number one. Otherwise, the Trojans were in rhythm as they took a two-set lead that left VCSU searching for answers as to how to get past TU's front line and, conversely, how to defend the likes of Jaylynn Dunsmore and Reagan Kleiman.

After dropping a third set that featured multiple scoring runs from both teams, Taylor responded in the fourth frame by jumping out to a 23-14 advantage.

VCSU staged a comeback to get within four points late, but Ohio Christian transfer Alexa Mader put the finishing touches on TU's upset win with back-to-back kills.

Ieremia tied a Taylor career high with nine blocks in the season's opening match, while Dunsmore had 17 kills. Kleiman contributed 13 kills on a monster .407 hitting percentage, and Mader and Reagan Salzbrenner chipped in six kills apiece on attack percentages above .350.

Lindsay Springer and McKaylah Flagle had match-highs with 43 assists and 18 digs, respectively, as they provided the fuel for the fire up front.

The evening's second match for TU got underway roughly an hour and-a-half later than scheduled, with the Trojans and Patriots duking it out nearly until midnight eastern time.

All four sets were decided by four points or fewer, with Taylor earning its lone win in the second set after climbing out of an early 5-0 hole.

Springer did everything for the Trojans during the late-night match, notching 45 digs, four service aces and seven kills on just 12 attempts, but it was not enough as Cumberlands (2-0) came away with the victory despite TU recording more kills and digs as a team. 

Taylor (1-1) resumes play at the Keiser Classic on Saturday with back-to-back matches scheduled for 6 and 8 p.m., respectively, versus RV Dakota State (1-1) and Mobile (2-1).