The Toledo Rockets (23-10, 11-7 MAC) captured their first-ever Mid-American Conference volleyball title Sunday night with a 3-1 victory over the Western Michigan Broncos (17-16, 13-5 MAC).
“This team has been so worth supporting, and I knew what we had in the gym, I knew what we could do, but to watch a group do it in the resilient way we just did three straight nights, said Toledo head coach Brian Wright. “We had our backs against the wall and our play was up, and the only way we could have done that was to work consistently and stay aggressive.”
These two teams, who last faced off on Halloween and Nov. 1, split wins and didn’t get the best feel for each other, not knowing they would meet again tonight.
Early in the first set, Toledo struggled with service and attack errors, falling behind 9-3 at the first timeout.
Toledo struggled to defend Western Michigan’s attacks. The Broncos held a seven-point lead late but saw it shrink to three. WMU took the set 25-22 on an attack error by Toledo’s Sophie Catalano.
In the second set, Toledo responded strongly, building a six-point lead at 11-5, fueled by Jessica Costlow’s offensive effort. Costlow finished the night with a double-double of 21 kills and 22 digs. At the same time, taking the MVP in this tournament.
“I was just doing what I usually do. It makes it easier to have a great team behind you supporting me,” said Costlow. “Like I know I can swing hard cause I know that everyone on my team has my back.”
Defensive Player of the Year Grace Freiberger also notched a double-double with 29 digs and 11 assists. Toledo controlled the set, winning 25-16 to even the match at one set apiece.
The third set was closely contested, with both teams tied at 18-18. Toledo played strong defense to create offense, leading in digs. The Rockets, ranked first in total points and service aces in the MAC this season, pulled ahead with crucial kills and took advantage of Western Michigan’s errors.
Olivia Heitkamp’s kill, which deflected off WMU’s Elana Erickson, sealed the set 25-21, putting Toledo up 2-1.
Western Michigan came out strong in the fourth set, jumping to a 13-4 score. Toledo fought back, cutting the deficit to two points at 20-18 and tying the set 22-22 late.
“Well, you know that we like to do that a bit, but I think the biggest thing is we have more grit and battle than any other team I’ve seen before,” said Kelsey Smith. “Like we’re out there for one another every step of the way, and that’s what we did tonight.”
Macy Medors’ kill put Toledo ahead 23-22, prompting a WMU timeout and challenge that failed.
The set stayed close, tied at 24-24, 25-25, and 26-26. Finally, a Western Michigan attack error handed Toledo the 28-26 win and the match, 3-1.
With the win, the Rockets secured their first MAC volleyball championship in program history.
“I mean, I felt it right away and I knew that Toledo volleyball was going to be a premier sport and a priority for the university,” said Wright. “We feel the way the fans and the university are supporting us, and I promise you this: our team loves giving back to the university and the city, and we’re proud to represent them in what we did here tonight.”
Toledo will now get an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament, and will await their opponent.
