Whiting, Ind. – The Roosevelt volleyball team had its four-match winning streak snapped by St. Francis (Ill.) in four sets, but bounced back with a three-set sweep of Purdue Calumet as the Lakers opened play in the inaugural CCAC Crossover Tournament hosted by Calumet-St. Joseph.

The two-day event pits teams from the CCAC North Division versus sides from the CCAC South Division with all results counting towards the final league standings. Roosevelt earned an important split to remain in third place in the CCAC at 5-4. The Lakers are 13-8 overall.

In the tournament opener Roosevelt locked horns with St. Francis (Ill.). The Lakers fell to the Saints (17-5, 8-1) in four sets, 25-13, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20.

Roosevelt could not overcome 30 attack errors in the contest and an .038 attack percentage. Conversely, St. Francis (Ill.) hit at a .308 clip and committed just 14 errors compared to 54 kills. The Saints controlled the match with their defense, especially at the net, racking up 17 total blocks.

Sophomore Valerie Cutrone posted a team-best 10 kills for the Lakers and just missed a double-double with nine digs. Freshman libero Arielle Nausieda led the defensive charge, tabbing a match-high tying 17 digs.

The Lakers shook off the setback to topple Purdue Calumet (4-13, 1-8) in the nightcap, 25-15, 25-12, 25-18.

Sophomore Vanessa Owusu led the way for Roosevelt with 12 kills, three blocks and two service aces. Cutrone added 10 kills in the win, while Nausieda totaled a team-high 12 digs and four service aces. The Lakers service success keyed the victory with the team totaling 11 aces in the three sets while committing just four service errors.

Roosevelt will return to Whiting, Ind., tomorrow for two more league matches, squaring off with CCAC South Division leader Trinity Christian in the opener at 1:00 p.m., before concluding the tournament with a match versus host Calumet-St. Joseph at 5:00 p.m.