WPU Sweeps Triangular Vs. Baker, College of the Ozarks
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s volleyball team returned to its winning ways as it went 2-0 Saturday.
William Penn (17-13, 10-6 Heart) opened the day by defeating Baker 3-0 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play (25-15, 25-14, 25-20) and then later defeated non-conference foe College of the Ozarks 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-8).
WPU 3, Baker 0
The navy and gold held a .243-.093 hitting edge and also won in aces (6-2) and blocks (4-1). The hosts were never challenged through the first two sets, leading from wire to wire.
The third set was a different story, though, as, after scoring the first point, William Penn allowed the Wildcats (6-21, 4-12 Heart) to claim their first lead with four unanswered.
The Statesmen bounced back, however, with a 12-2 run and stayed on top the rest of the way. WPU was required to stiffen up late in the set as BU closed to within one, but the victors closed with five of the last six points to complete the sweep.
Alyssa Young (Sr., Winter Springs, Fla., Biology) guided the home crew with 11 kills on a gawdy .625 hitting clip. Jade Melton (Jr., Hallsville, Mo., Psychology) was next with eight winners, while Andressa Borges (So., Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sports Management) and Alyvia Johnson (So., Owatonna, Minn., Business Management) both contributed seven.
Most of the setting responsibilities were left to Mia Brady (Fr., Pontiac, Ill., Exercise Science) with 22 assists, while Johnson highlighted WPU’s serving with three aces.
Cecily Liphardt (Sr., Lincoln, Neb., Psychology and Business Management) managed a squad-best 15 digs, while Borges (three block assists) and Corrin Lepper (Sr., Jefferson City, Mo., Biology) (one solo block, two block assists) were the top net defenders.
WPU 3, College of the Ozarks 0
The Statesmen did not let off the gas in the day’s second match, holding a .237-.054 attacking edge over the Bobcats (17-13). William Penn posted categorical victories in aces (7-0) and blocks (5-4) as well.
Led by 16 kills from Johnson, WPU was in control throughout. The sophomore managed a double-double, also recording 10 digs in the victory.
Borges matched Johnson in double digits with 12 kills, while Lepper added eight and Young finished with six.
Macy Bailey (Sr., Bondurant, Iowa, Business Management) assisted on 24 hitting points, while Liphardt and Caidince Cleveland (So., Bettendorf, Iowa, General Accounting) each served up a pair of aces. Liphardt again paced the back-row defense with 17 digs, and Borges (three block assists) and Lepper (one solo block, two block assists) maintained net patrol.
“Today was a great way to bounce back from Friday’s result,” Head Coach Lauren Eldridge said. “We have been talking lately that we have to turn our what ifs into even ifs and to stay in the present, not the past or future. Today we did a really good job of focusing on what was in front of us. This was a really great overall team effort.”
Next Up: William Penn remains in Oskaloosa next Friday, hosting Peru State in Heart play at 6 p.m.
