Statesmen Split at Central Christian Triangular
William Penn University Athletics
McPherson, Kan.–The William Penn volleyball team ended its losing streak Friday as it competed at a triangular hosted by Central Christian.
The Statesmen (4-19) opened the day by defeating host Central Christian 3-1 (19-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21), but ended it with a 3-0 loss to Haskell Indian Nations (Kan.) (17-25, 16-25, 24-26). The victory snaps WPU’s nine-match losing streak.
WPU 3, CCC 1
After having already dropped the first set, William Penn again trailed 13-9 in the second set. The visitors, who outhit the home squad .074-.047, were still behind 17-16, but went on a run and evened the match at 1-1.
The navy and gold continued its momentum and pulled out to a 13-4 edge in the third round and held off the Tigers. In the fourth set, WPU ran out to an 8-3 advantage. CCC (6-17) rallied to go up 15-12, but William Penn got back into it and led 20-18. With the match knotted at 21-21, the squad finished off the win with four straight points.
Claire Simmons (So., Williamsburg, Iowa, Psychology) posted a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs, while Shawni Wills (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Biology) joined her in double digits with 10 winners.
Savanna Hartman (Sr., Morgan Hill, Calif., Psychology) and Sawyer Woodworth (Sr., Parsons, Kan., Physical Education) both managed seven kills; Woodworth was also a part of four blocks in the victory.
Kathleen Steffen (So., Vinton, Iowa, Biology) matched Simmons with another double-double of 20 assists and 10 digs. Haley Smith (So., Adrian, Mich., Elementary Education) added 16 helpers as well.
Defensively, Ashley Miller (So., Kalona, Iowa, Exercise Science) posted 23 digs and Nicole Harrison (Sr., San Diego, Calif., Biology) had six block assists.
HINU 3, WPU 0
William Penn unfortunately did not hold an advantage until early in the third set, but was dominant early on in that set with a 12-4 lead. The Indians (9-11) rallied back hard, however, and closed out the sweep.
Simmons paced the offensive effort with eight kills in addition to three aces, while Steffen recorded her second-straight double-double with 14 assists and 10 digs. Miller’s 13 digs and Harrison’s two block assists were also team bests.
Next Up: William Penn travels to Des Moines next Tuesday to face #9 Grand View in Heart of America Athletic Conference action at 7 p.m.
