Trojans Dominate Day One of Amber McClure Fayerweather Tourney

Volleyball | Fri, Aug. 26, 2022 at 9:20 PM
| by Jake Chipka

UPLAND, IN. – Day one of the second-annual Amber McClure Fayerweather Memorial Tournament took place throughout the day on Friday, and No. 22 Taylor (4-0) defended its home court by winning two matches in impressive fashion.

The reigning Crossroads League Player of the Week, Ryan Czerniak, and North Carolina Central transfer, Arlanda Faulkner, combined for 42 kills in tandem with just four errors throughout the day. Meanwhile, Kacy Bragg posted 66 assists, and Purdue Fort Wayne transfer, Jen Springer, collected 36 digs in total between the two matches.

Along with Springer, first-year Taylor mid-hitter, Grace Ieremia, was a force on the defensive end, sending down 13 total blocks throughout the day, leading a dominant Trojan defense that held Friday’s opposition to a hitting percentage of less than .040.

The action unfolded with energy to begin the day, as Taylor took the first set against Clarke (1-2) by a score of 25-to-six. The Trojans went on to sweep the match against Clarke, while four Taylor hitters recorded six-or-more kills, and senior defensive specialist, Nikki Parrett, struck five service aces.

Taylor dropped its lone set of the day in its second match, though there was no need to worry as the Trojans took down St. Thomas (1-3) in four sets, concluding the match with a decisive 25-to-14 set win.

St. Thomas struck a mere .024 hitting percentage throughout the match, as the Trojan defense was lights out, cultivating 39 Bobcat attack errors while racking up 19-total team blocks.

Ieremia led the way with nine total blocks, while sophomore, Jaylynn Dunsmore, sent back eight blocks herself.

On the offensive side, Faulkner and Czerniak both struck double-digit kills, while Czerniak posted a 14-to-zero kill-to-error ratio. The senior right-side hitter now has a total of 50 kills on the season, limiting herself to just six errors while crafting a hitting percentage of .463.

No. 22 Taylor (4-0) returns to action on Saturday, August 27, for day two of the Amber McClure Fayerweather Memorial Tournament, with matches scheduled for 10:00 am and 4:30 pm against IU-Kokomo (2-0) and Thomas More (2-0).