Panthers open Crossover Tournament with 3-1 win over Purdue-Northwest

HAMMOND, Ind. – After falling in the opening set, the Drury Panthers recovered to win their first game of the Midwest Region Crossover Tournament with a 3-1 victory over Purdue-Northwest at the Hammond Sportsplex in Hammond, Indiana on Friday.
 
Drury lost the opening set 25-22, then evened the match with a 25-13 win in the second. The Panthers reeled off eight straight points in the third and took a 2-1 lead in the match, taking the set 25-13.
 
Drury had command of the fourth, leading 22-15, but the Pride came back with seven straight points and forced the Panthers to fight off four different set points. With the set tied 29-29, Drury got a service ace from Chloe Rear, then Stormi Tadlock clinched the win with her 14^th kill of the match, giving the Panthers a 31-29 victory in the fourth set.
 
Rear finished the game with 14 kills and 46 assists. Salma Lewis had 15 kills and 16 digs, while Tadlock ended the match with four block assists to go along with her 14 kills. Juliana Squire contributed four service aces and 16 digs.
 
Kennedy Cunningham had 11 kills to lead Purdue-Northwest.
 
Drury raised their record to 8-14 and their win snapped an eight-game losing streak. The Pride dropped to 6-14.
 
The Panthers play twice tomorrow as the Midwest Region Crossover Tournament continues. Drury will take on Ursuline at 11:30 am, then conclude the trip against Kentucky Wesleyan at 3 pm.
 
 
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