Pioneers Sweep Ripon Behind Efficient Offense

GRINNELL, Iowa — The Grinnell College women’s volleyball team delivered a crisp and balanced performance Saturday afternoon, sweeping Ripon College 3–0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-17) at Darby Gymnasium.

The Pioneers (8-16, 2-4 Midwest Conference) hit an impressive .326 for the match and executed cleanly from serve to finish. Grinnell controlled tempo with efficient side-out play and timely serving, snapping Ripon’s four-match win streak in just over an hour of play.

Grinnell trailed 24-21 in the opening frame before closing with five straight points. Millie Leonard ignited the surge with consecutive kills, and a final block from Leonard and Leticia Machado sealed the comeback win 26-24.

The second set saw Grinnell’s rhythm sharpen as Keira Sullivan produced five kills and four service aces, including a decisive seven-point service run that broke the frame open. Hayley Taka guided the offense with 14 assists, spreading sets evenly across the front row while maintaining control of the transition game.

In the third, Grinnell’s defense took center stage. Taka and Kylie Snell combined for three early blocks, and Marlowe Hurst anchored the back row with 17 digs. The Pioneers closed on a 9-3 run capped by a Sullivan ace to complete the sweep 25-17.

Team Leaders

Keira Sullivan: 13 kills, 6 aces, 7 digs

Millie Leonard: 11 kills, .714 hitting percentage

Hayley Taka: 14 assists, 5 kills, 3 blocks

Kylie Snell: 10 kills, .588 hitting percentage

Marlowe Hurst: 17 digs

Ripon (10-12, 4-1) was paced by Makenna Harren with eight kills, but the Red Hawks were limited to a .156 attack percentage with 31 hitting errors across the three sets.

The Pioneers return to action next weekend as they continue Midwest Conference play, looking to build momentum in the final stretch of the regular season.

— Oskaloosa News Sports Desk