NKyTribune staff
PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Sawyer Lorentz attacked at a .545 clip and finished with 12 kills on Friday night as Thomas More cruised to a 25-20, 25-16, 25-15 win over Pikeville in a Mid-South Conference match.
Lorentz added four blocks as Thomas More improved to 18-6 overall, 9-2 in the Mid-South Conference. The Saints hit .333 as a team and used a match-ending 11-0 run in the third set to cap the sweep over the Bears.
Emily Mohs slammed down nine kills, while setter Maddie Read dished out 20 assists and added nine digs. Sara Crooker served up four aces for the Saints, who finished with eight winners as a team.
Sawyer Lorentz (4) hit .545 and finished with 12 kills as Thomas More defeated Pikeville. (Photo by Jeff McCurry)
Krumpelman finished with six kills and 13 digs for Thomas More, which is aiming for its eighth consecutive 20-win season. The Saints, in their first season of NAIA competition, are in sole possession of second place in the Mid-South Conference.
Lindsey Wilson is atop the Mid-South Conference standings with a 10-2 record. The Blue Raiders are ranked No. 13 nationally in the NAIA poll and own a 20-4 overall mark.
Thomas More plays host to Life (Ga.) next Friday night at 7 p.m. in a crucial Mid-South Conference clash in the Connor Convocation Center. Life defeated Thomas More in five sets earlier this season at Marietta, Ga.
The Running Eagles are 16-7 overall, 6-4 in the Mid-South Conference. Thomas More will enter next Friday having won 28 consecutive home matches.
UIC RALLIES PAST NKU: Northern Kentucky won the opening set Friday night, but Illinois-Chicago rallied to post a 16-25, 25-20, 25-22, 27-29, 15-9 triumph over the visiting Norse in a Horizon League match.
Anna Brinkmann finished with 18 kills, 14 digs and three service aces for NKU, which dropped to 10-9 overall, 3-4 in the Horizon League. Miranda Wucherer added 24 assists, 18 digs and three aces for the Norse.
NKU setter Shelby Olsen notched her fifth straight double-double with 19 assists and 12 digs. She is now two digs away from reaching the 1,000 milestone in that category.
Kiera James recorded 18 kills for UIC, which improved to 15-6 overall, 4-3 in the Horizon League. The Flames hit .214 in the fifth set and held NKU to a .061 clip to escape with the victory.
NKU concludes the two-day road trip Saturday with a contest against defending Horizon League champion Green Bay.
(Information compiled from Thomas More, NKU and staff reports)
