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Flyers Battle Against The Panthers on Rae Strong Night

The Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ women's volleyball team played Drury University for the Rae Strong Foundation on Nov. 14 at the Neil Carey arena. With the win from the Panthers, they advanced their record to 16-12 and a conference record of 6-6. The Flyers now sit at 14-13 and a conference record of 5-7. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Panthers started out with a two-point lead at the beginning of set one. The Flyers were able to catch them with the help of two kills from Ann-Kelly Velikov, bringing the score to 4-4. Drury was able to take their lead at 11-9 and did not let go. The Flyers tried to battle back with back- to-back kills from  (Papillion, Neb./Papillion La Vista South)½ý²Ô»å  (Cary, Ill./West Virginia Wesleyan), but it was not enough to come back. The Panthers took set one at 25-21.

The Flyers took an early lead in set two at 5-0. Lewis held their lead until Dury snuck up from behind and tied the set at 9-9. The Flyers slipped back and lost their lead, not able to get it back in enough time. With help from  (Fairfield, Ohio/Stephen T Badin), her two kills in a row helped the Flyers gain some points back, but not enough. Set two went to the Panthers at 25-21.

Lewis started off hot in set three taking another five-point lead from the beginning. First two points were scored by service aces by  (Channahon, Ill./Kent State). Fighting back, the Panthers tried to get ahead, but the Flyers did not budge. Back-to-back kills by  (Springfield, Ill./Pleasant Plains) helped the Flyers lead even more, putting them at 20-14. O'Neill secured the final kill of the set at 25-15.

Panthers struck first in set four, but the Flyers were quick to comeback. The ladies went on a six-point streak to gain the lead at 6-2. Lewis led most of the set until the Panthers came from behind and tied it at 23-23. Both teams traded points back and forth to claim the victory. With a kill from Buxton, the score sat at 24-24. Drury was ultimately able to pull through and secure the victory at 28-26. 

Buxton led the Flyers with 14 kills and King had a total of 15 assists.  (Richmond, Texas/Southwest Baptist) topped off a total of 32 digs. Lewis ended the match with a hitting percentage of .169 (53-21-189).

Abby Renshaw led the Panthers with 13 kills and Lauren Tyler had a total of 11 assists. Payton Mitchell topped off a total of 36 digs. Drury ended the match with a hitting percentage of .134 (48-23-187).

Today's match served as the programs annual Rae Strong Foundation match. In 2018, The RaeStrong Foundation was created as a means to help provide support for individuals and families in similar situations. Dan and Lorelee are working to build an environment that fosters the incredible atmosphere that was given to them where any family with a micro-preemie can feel the hope and joy that comes with a miracle happening in front of you. Through the RaeStrong Foundation grants are awarded to individual families, hospital NICUs and preemie supporting organizations on a yearly basis.

Prior to the match, the foundation presented a check of $12,000 to Hannah Colbrook from the Office of Philanthropy for Loyola Medicine. Loyola Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has a special place for Lorelee and Dan as Rae grew up there for her first 4 months of her life.  The Loyola NICU fostered an incredible atmosphere where any family with a preemie can feel the hope and joy that comes with a miracle happening in front of you.  Loyola Medicine is a leading academic health system in Chicago's western suburbs and includes Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood—a nationally ranked hospital with over 500 beds, a Level 1 trauma center, Illinois's largest burn center, children's hospital and a comprehensive stroke center. Loyola Medicine also offers care through Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, and a network of outpatient clinics, providing advanced medical, surgical, and emergency services with a commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.
 

The Rae Strong Foundation is proud to give back and present the check for $12,000 towards helping micro preemies and there families at the Loyola Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
 

UP NEXT

The Flyers will take on Southwest Baptist University on Nov. 15 at 3:00 pm at the Neil Carey Arena.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is a modern, enterprising, Catholic university with a growing student enrollment from GED through doctoral level programs. As part of the global Lasallian network of 65 universities, Lewis is known for preparing graduates who impact the world for the better. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.