Furious comeback falls short as Columbus falls to Grand Rapids

Columbus Fury
Ralph Schudel
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Photo by Sam Fahmi / Columbus Wired

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Columbus Fury returned to its home court inside Nationwide Arena, playing its second match of a three match homestand on Wednesday, welcoming the Grand Rapids Rise to the Arena District. After falling in the first two sets of the match, Columbus rebounded nicely to battle back and take set three 25-19, and nearly forced a decisive fifth set before falling 32-30 in the fourth set and 3-1 in the match.

Grand Rapids jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the contest but that didn't stop the action from remaining close with the Rise maintaining a 15-14 advantage heading into the media timeout. Columbus regained its footing, tying the set at 15 but the visitors answered back quickly with a point off a lengthy rally that allowed the Grand Rapids to recapture the momentum. The Fury looked to halt the run with a timeout, but couldn't recapture the advantage and fell 25-20 in the set.

The second set was all Rise as the visitors carried their momentum and built an 13-8 advantage over Columbus.

Veteran Megan Courtney Lush helped the Fury regain its traction putting down a kill and a timely block to keep the hosts within striking distance. Columbus clawed back to within three points twice, including withstanding two set points but dropped the second set 25-18.

A different Fury squad emerged from the locker room during the third set as the hosts jumped out to an early 4-1 lead. Back-to-back kills from Courtney Lush and newcomer Tori Stringer kept the momentum with Columbus as they jumped out to a 9-6 lead. Outside hitter Samantha Drechsel posted a huge block to put the Fury ahead 13-8 and notched an important kill just a few points later to extend the lead to 18-11.

Grand Rapids wouldn't go quietly as the visitors answered with an 8-4 run to draw just three points of Columbus.

Fury middle blocker Asjia O'Neal collected an important kill that put Columbus ahead 23-19. Courtney Lush joined forced with O'Neal to lift the Columbus to a 25-19 set three win.

Looking to force a decisive fifth set the Fury kept the momentum rolling early. A massive block from Kaitlyn Hord capped a lengthy rally to give the hosts a 6-4 lead. Dreschel scored another momentum point for Columbus, cutting the Grand Rapids lead down to just one point at 11-10. The Rise went on a 5-2 run to grow their advantage to 16-12.

The Fury wouln't go quietly as they went on of a 4-0 run to tie the match at 20 a side late. Columbus earned the first set point but couldn't break away. The hosts fought off three match points late but the Grand Rapids was able to put the match away, claiming the fourth set 32-30.

Stats and Standout Performances

  • Tori Stringer made her debut for the Fury and totaled 49 assists and 12 digs. She also added three kills and a block on the night.
  • Courtney Lush led the attack for Columbus with 14 kills and added 12 digs for her third double-double of the season.
  • O’Neal was back in action for the first time since mid-February, coming back from an ankle injury. The middle blocker totaled 13 kills in the match as well as a block and an ace.
  • Drechsel notched her first double-double of the season with 11 kills and 16 digs, both season-highs.
  • In just one set of action, Hord tallied three kills on eight swings and added three blocks.  

Up Next

‍The Fury close out their three-match home stand on Sunday afternoon when they host the Atlanta Vibe at 2 p.m. The match will be the first meeting between the teams this season.

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