William Penn Splits at Saint Mary/Grace Tourney
William Penn University Athletics
Omaha, Neb.–The Statesmen volleyball team notched its first victories of the month as participants in the Saint Mary/Grace Tournament Friday and Saturday.
WPU (3-10) began the weekend Friday by falling 3-0 to Mayville State (N.D.) (19-25, 15-25, 13-25), but rebounded with a sweep over co-host Grace (25-17, 25-16, 25-23).
The navy and gold continued their winning ways Saturday with a 3-1 triumph over Dakota State (S.D.) (31-29, 25-20, 11-25, 25-23) before ending the weekend with a four-set loss to Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) (25-20, 12-25, 13-25, 18-25).
Mayville State 3, WPU 0
Shawni Wills (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Biology) headlined the Statesmen offense with nine kills, while Claire Simmons (So., Williamsburg, Iowa, Psychology) added seven winners and Savanna Hartman (Sr., Morgan Hill, Calif., Psychology) had six more.
Kathleen Steffen (So., Vinton, Iowa, Biology) posted a 25-assist effort, while all-tournament selection Ashley Miller (So., Kalona, Iowa, Exercise Science) finished with 15 digs. Also on defense, Lilly Martinez (Sr., Oakland, Calif., Psychology) and Nicole Harrison (Sr., San Diego, Calif., Biology) came up with two block assists each.
WPU 3, Grace 0
Hartman had a huge performance with 17 kills and a .615 hitting clip. Simmons (9) and Wills (8) just missed double figures as their squad outhit the Royals .230-.088.
Steffen’s 28 assists were a team high as were the 24 digs by Miller. Simmons also served up three aces and Martinez managed three block assists.
WPU 3, Dakota State 1
William Penn came out on top despite losing the attacking battle by a .158-.121 mark. Simmons finished with the program’s only double-double of the weekend with 19 kills and 11 digs. Hartman joined her in double digits with 15 points.
Wills had eight kills and Martinez produced seven more. The setting duo of Steffen (23) and Haley Smith (So., Adrian, Mich., Elementary Education) (20) were good for 43 helpers.
Haley Vampran (So., Fort Worth, Texas, Exercise Science) notched a pair of aces, while Miller dug 24 DSU attempts. Five different Statesmen were good for at least two blocks in the win.
Dakota Wesleyan 3, WPU 1
The weekend concluded with Simmons once again eclipsing double figures with 13 kills; Hartman (9) and Wills (6) also performed well. A total of 18 kills were assisted by Steffen.
Miller picked up another 23 digs and Harrison assisted on two WPU blocks.
Next Up: William Penn travels to Fayette, Mo. Tuesday to face Central Methodist at 7 p.m. in its Heart of America Athletic Conference opener.
