Creighton University’s volleyball team has secured a place in the Elite Eight after a thrilling victory over Arizona State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, played in Lexington on Thursday afternoon. The match showcased significant determination and skill from the Bluejays, who triumphed in four sets with scores of 26-24, 19-25, 25-13, and 25-18.
The Bluejays started strong, with Ava Martin contributing a crucial kill to establish an early lead. Despite facing a brief setback when Arizona State took a slight advantage, Creighton rallied back, particularly through the efforts of Kiara Reinhardt, who delivered back-to-back kills, pushing the Jays ahead and prompting an ASU timeout. Martin’s kill sealed the first set for Creighton.
The second set was fiercely competitive, but Arizona State managed to take control and won the set 25-19, leveling the match. However, the Bluejays responded powerfully in the third set, going on a decisive 5-1 run and demonstrating dominance with a remarkable hitting percentage of .600. With their momentum, Creighton won the third set convincingly, 25-13.
Set four saw the Bluejays off to another strong start, with Reinhardt and Martin leading the charge. They maintained their intensity, ultimately closing out the match with a 25-18 win in the final set. Notably, Martin finished the match with an impressive total of 20 kills, while Reinhardt also had a standout performance with 13 kills at an exceptional hitting percentage of .706.
With this victory, Creighton advances to face the winner of the upcoming matchup between Kentucky and Cal Poly in the Elite Eight. The Bluejays’ strong performance reflects their potential and determination, instilling hope for their fans as they continue their journey in the NCAA Tournament.