By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – Junior Taylor Kasal (Westmont, Ill.) posted a double-double with 14 kills and 16 digs and sophomore Shannon Hurley (Connellsville, Pa.) tied a season high with 12 kills, but Green Bay dropped its Horizon League opener to visiting Valparaiso (14-1, 1-0 HL) in three sets (25-20, 25-21, 25-23) at the Kress Center on Friday night.

Valparaiso opened up a 21-10 in the opening set, but the Phoenix rattled off nine of the next 10 points to close the deficit to 22-19. The Crusaders ended the set with three of the last four points. Hurley had six kills in the opening set.  

In the second set, Kasal carried the load for the Phoenix by hitting .538 with seven kills and zero errors. Valparaiso took control of the set with seven-straight points midway through and did not relinquish the lead.

The third set was more back and forth before the Crusaders opened up a 22-15 advantage. Green bay tallied with six of the next seven points, but Valpo finished the match on a kill from Kelsey Victor.

Junior setter Emily Riese (Fond du Lac, Wis.) tallied 31 assists and 11 digs, and junior libero Jillian Bauer (Verona, Wis.) was the third player in double digits in digs with 13.

Green Bay will have a quick turnaround before hosting UIC on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Kress Center.

###

For the latest and most up-to-date information on Green Bay Athletics and Green Bay Volleyball, please visit GreenBayPhoenix.com.

Follow us on Twitter: @GBPhoenix and @GBPhoenixVB.

Like Green Bay Phoenix Athletics and Green Bay Phoenix Volleyball on Facebook.