The Purdue University Calumet volleyball team showed its grit in a four-set loss to one of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference’s top teams in a 3-1 loss to Judson University in Saturday’s league crossover tournament.
The Peregrines (9-18, 4-10 CCAC) took a set from the North Division leader Eagles (19-14, 10-3) but were outmatched down the stretch, falling 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 25-13 at Trinity Christian College’s DeVos Center.
Akeelah Muhammad (Chicago Heights, Ill./Bloom Township/Kishwaukee) led the way for the Peregrines offensively with 11 kills and freshman Gabrielle Martin (Kankakee Valley, Ind./Kankakee) added 10 kills. Muhammad continued her strong showing at the tournament, as she hit a stellar .368 with 11 kills on just 19 attacks.
With the Peregrines batting injuries, freshman Allison Jorsch (Highland, Ind./Highland) stepped up off the bench to record a career-best eight kills off 23 attacks to hit .261. Setter Haley Smith (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley) delivered 33 assists and senior Kelly Duke (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) recorded a season-high 17 digs against a strong Judson attack.
Martin added three service aces and 11 digs in an all-around match and Erica Dinnocenzo (Crete, Ill./Illinois Lutheran) had three block assists.
Jennifer Donnell led the Eagles with 14 kills and Breanna Todd added 11 kills for Judson.
Purdue Calumet returns to action Monday, Oct. 27 when the Peregrines host Moody Bible Institute in a nonleague matchup at the Fitness and Recreation Center. Game time is set for 7 p.m.