The Green Bay Phoenix women’s volleyball team opened its season with a decisive three‑set triumph over the Navy Midshipmen on Sunday at the Western Michigan Volleyball Tournament in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The 25‑17, 25‑21, 25‑20 win gave the Phoenix their first victory of the year and a confidence boost heading into the upcoming Golden Eagle Invitational.
Key Performers
Senior outside hitter Gillian Koning led the offense with 11 kills and a .385 hitting percentage. teammate Diane Pichelman added 10 kills and posted an impressive .417 percentage, while freshman setter Alexa Hernandez contributed three service aces and a match‑high 34 assists, earning All‑Tournament honors for her steady play.
Defensively, junior libero Kennedy Schmitz recorded nine digs, and middle blocker Olivia Neumann added five blocks, helping the Phoenix limit Navy’s attacks throughout the match.
Coach Sutherland’s Perspective
Head coach Abbey Sutherland praised the team’s energy and resilience. “I’m really proud of the passion and energy we played with today. More passion, more energy—that’s what we want to be about,” she said. Sutherland highlighted the significance of playing a service academy, noting the respect the Phoenix have for the student‑athletes’ commitments beyond the court.
She added, “Gill was incredibly steady for us throughout the entire weekend and consistently found ways to get kills for our team, so she was very deserving of All‑Tournament honors. I was also really excited about the offense Alexa ran today. It was the most balanced we’ve looked offensively, and there’s a lot to be excited about as we continue to build.”
Set‑by‑Set Breakdown
Set 1: Green Bay surged early, establishing an eight‑point lead and never looking back, closing the set at 25‑17. The Phoenix’s serving was aggressive, delivering five aces.
Set 2: The Phoenix maintained pressure, registering a .394 attack percentage and 15 kills. After a back‑and‑forth battle that saw the lead change five times, Green Bay pulled ahead at 22‑21 and secured the set 25‑21.
Set 3: Green Bay finished strong, posting a .455 attack percentage with 17 kills. The team’s front‑row blocked five Navy attacks, and the Phoenix stretched their lead to close the match at 25‑20.
Looking Ahead
The Phoenix will travel to Tennessee Tech next weekend for the Golden Eagle Invitational. Their first matchup will be against Tennessee State on Friday at 12:30 p.m., offering another opportunity to build on the momentum generated in Kalamazoo.
With a balanced offense, solid defensive contributions, and a coach emphasizing passion and teamwork, Green Bay’s women’s volleyball program appears poised for a competitive season.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
