By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---Tiffani Hobbs had a strong match in a win over Mott Community College as the No. 4 Express volleyball team split their two matches on the opening day of the Owens Invitational.

In the opener, Hobbs helped spark an Express comeback in the fifth set after her team trailed 8-3. She finished second on the team with 12 kills overall in the 25-22, 26-28, 12-25, 29-27, 17-15 win.

Bailey Dangler had a team-high 13 kills, while Kenzie Kleinhenz added 11 and Stephanie Kipp had 10. Ciarra Wirick had a team-high 28 assists, while Jessica Cooper had 24. Three players (Aricka LaVoy, Kipp and Kayla Siefker) had a team-high two aces. Lisa Urbanski led the team with 26 digs, while Kipp added 12.

Meanwhile, Jazmine Thomas, who had the game saving block with the Express down 24-23 in the fourth set, led the team with six blocks (five assisted). Three others finished with two blocks apiece.

In the nightcap, the Express started off well, but eventually fell in straight sets to Pasco-Hernando Community College 20-25, 20-25, 20-25. 

Kipp had a team-high eight kills, while Hobbs added seven. Wirick had a team-high 12 assists, while Cooper added nine. Urbanski (12) and Wirick (10) led the way in digs, while Kleinhenz (five assisted) and Dominique Yates (four assisted) led the team in blocks.

Notes

The Express are now 1-5 overall this year. They will resume action in the Owens Invitational on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against Iowa Central Community College. They will then take on Hagerstown Community College at 6:45 p.m.

Including the Express, the Owens Invitational is hosting 29 teams this weekend in the SHAC. For live updates on how the Express matches go, follow us on Twitter (@owensexpress).