ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. – Playing a NAIA varsity four-year team, Macomb Volleyball battled throughout in a three-set road setback to the Warriors of Rochester Christian University on Wednesday (Aug. 28). The loss drops the Monarchs to 1-6 on the season ahead of their return to NJCAA competition next week against Delta College.

The Monarchs will travel to University Center on Sept. 4 to take on the Delta Pioneers at 7 p.m.

After faltering late at the Opening Weekend Tournament, the Monarchs used their lone day of practice on Tuesday to improve upon key areas and it showed Wednesday despite ending up on the wrong end of a three-set decision. The Monarchs came out strong and exchanged points with their NAIA opponent before the Warriors closed the first set on a big run to win, 25-18. After dropping the second set, the Monarchs regrouped and had the lead on several occasions late, but it was the host Warriors who were able to close out the match with a narrow 26-24 decision in the third frame.

Hadley Schaefer (Harrison Twp., Mich./Parkway Christian) tallied a team-best five kills, followed by the trio of Grace Amoe (Harrison Twp., Mich./L'Anse Creuse), Jordan Pflaum (Shelby Twp., Mich./Lutheran High North) and Adeline Tresnak (Dryden, Mich./Dryden) who checked in with four kills each. Amoe added four block assists while Pflaum and Kaley Eller (Utica, Mich./Utica) recorded three block assists each to help lead the defensive effort at the net.

Paige Elliott (Livonia, Mich./Detroit Country Day) recorded 18 assists and added eight digs and Ashlyn Cunha (Richmond, Mich./Anchor Bay) led the Monarchs' back row with 12 digs.