Statesmen Avenge Loss to C-SC, Take Over Top Spot in North
Oskaloosa–Despite playing without its most prolific attacker, the William Penn women’s volleyball team was still able to finish on top in a critical Heart of America Athletic Conference battle with Culver-Stockton Tuesday.
WPU (15-12, 9-5 Heart) won 3-1 with set scores of 25-21, 25-23, 25-27, 26-24. The squad is now first in the North Division, decimal points ahead of Mount Mercy and a half game in front of Culver-Stockton (16-6, 8-5 Heart). The outcome snaps C-SC’s seven-match winning streak, while William Penn has now won four in a row.
William Penn, which was without the services of Alyvia Johnson (So., Owatonna, Minn., Business Management) (illness), was buoyed by an overall team effort, especially on defense. Eight different Statesmen tallied a kill with six managing at least five winners, while defensively, nine individuals had a dig and six players had a part in a block.
The hosts, who were in front for much of the evening, outhit the Wildcats .215-.166. The visitors put the first point on the board, but the navy and gold answered with seven straight and never trailed again. C-SC trimmed the margin to three on a few occasions, but the Statesmen stayed in control for the 1-0 advantage.
The same tune was played in the second set with Culver-Stockton taking the first point, while WPU claimed the next five. William Penn extended its edge to 14-7, only to see the Wildcats roar back and knot the score at 16-16. The Statesmen earned the next three points and held on for the commanding 2-0 lead.
Up by as many as five points in the third set, WPU was primed to collect the sweep. Unfortunately, C-SC had other plans and reeled in the Statesmen, eventually going up 21-19. The home crew regrouped and was at match point, but failed to close it out and was forced to another round.
William Penn pulled out to a 10-4 advantage in the fourth, but the Wildcats proved in the previous set that no lead was safe and stayed within striking distance. The Statesmen never allowed their foe to get the upper hand, but also struggled to deliver the knockout punch. WPU led 24-19, but lost five consecutive match points as the score was evened at 24-24. Fortunately, Corrin Lepper (Sr., Jefferson City, Mo., Biology) came to the rescue with a kill and the night wrapped up on a C-SC hitting error.
The victory avenges William Penn’s 3-1 setback to Culver-Stockton on September 16 in Canton, Mo.
As aforementioned, with Johnson sidelined, others were needed to fill her role and Alyssa Young (Sr., Winter Springs, Fla., Biology) made it her duty to rise up. The senior enjoyed a career outing with 18 kills on a .417 attack mark, while also playing a part in 10 blocks (3 solos, 7 assists).
Andressa Borges (So., Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sports Management) was next with nine kills, while Riley Hungate (Fr., Joliet, Ill., Business Management) had eight and Katlyn Jeter (So., Solon, Iowa, Business Management) tallied seven off the bench. Lepper managed six winners and Jade Melton (Jr., Hallsville, Mo., Psychology) contributed five more.
Macy Bailey (Sr., Bondurant, Iowa, Business Management) recorded a team-high 28 assists, while Mia Brady (Fr., Pontiac, Ill., Exercise Science) helped on 15 kills. Hungate guided the servers with a pair of aces, and Cecily Liphardt (Sr., Lincoln, Neb., Psychology and Business Management) topped the back row with 23 digs.
In addition to Young’s blocking prowess, Borges (6), Lepper (5), and Jeter (4) were also active at the defensive net. Overall, the Statesmen dominated the blocking battle 16-4.
“This was a great team win in a great atmosphere!” Head Coach Lauren Eldridge said. “Our defense and serve receive kept us in it all night with the opportunity to set our middles as much as we wanted. Our blocking came alive, which helped secure big points. I am very happy with the outcome and want to thank the student body for the environment they provided for us.”
Next Up: William Penn remains in Oskaloosa Friday to host Benedictine in Heart play at 7 p.m.
