Statesmen Defense, Lepper’s Offense Lead Statesmen Past Bobcats
Peru, Neb.–The William Penn women’s volleyball team got back on track with a sweep of the Peru State Bobcats in sets of 27-25, 25-23, and 25-21.
The Statesmen improve to 17-10 overall on the season and 10-7 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
The hosts hopped out to a quick lead in the first set, opening the action on Tuesday with an 11-6 lead. Chipping away were the Statesmen, who brought the lead to within one, but the Bobcats extended their lead once again to 17-11 as they sought out the opening set win. The Statesmen battled back, but things looked bleak as they faced set point at 24-18. However, a furious rally sparked by a kill from Alyvia Johnson (Fr., Owatonna, Minn., Elementary Education) saw William Penn record six consecutive points, eventually clinching a thrilling first set victory on a Peru State error.
The second set was a back and forth affair, but Symone Jopp (Jr., Mayer, Minn., Business Management) helped the Statesmen jump on top 10-9 with three kills in the early goings. William Penn was able to string together six straight points to take the lead at 16-12, and although Peru State continued to hang tight, the navy and gold never again gave up the lead as they took a 2-0 advantage over the Bobcats.
Corrin Lepper (Sr., Jefferson City, Mo., Exercise Science) started off the third set with a bang, and it was hardly the last time she would be heard from in the set. She earned another kill on the next Statesmen point as William Penn went on a small run to lead 6-1, then killed home three consecutive WPU points as they held the lead at 12-8. She added three more down the stretch, bringing her total for the set to eight, before Alyssa Young (Jr., Winter Springs, Fla., Biology) finished the game with a big swing to give the Statesmen the win.
Lepper had a monster game, totaling 14 kills on only 23 swings for a resounding .522 hitting percentage. Johnson finished second on the team with eight kills, while Jopp and Young each finished with six.
Macy Bailey (Jr., Bondurant, Iowa, Business Management) started and worked as the primary setter, leading the team with 19 assists. Annalise Whitcomb (Sr., Humboldt, Kan., General Accounting) complemented her nicely with 12 helpers.
The Statesmen turned in a huge team defensive effort with 78 total digs, their most in a three-set game this season. Leading the way was Rebekah Eaves (Sr., Farmington, N.M., Elementary Education), who recorded a career-high 25 digs from the back row. Caidince Cleveland (Fr., Bettendorf, Iowa, General Accounting) also tied a career high with 16, with Bailey also contributing 13, also a career best number.
“It was nice to see us be able to get the job done on the road,” said Head Coach Aleesha Cleaver. “I thought Corrin had a really nice night for us offensively. It wasn’t our best night overall, but we found a way and I’m proud of that. We’re excited to get back in front of our home crowd this weekend!”
What’s Next: The Statesmen return to the Penn Activity Center on Friday to face the Evangel Valor. Friday will serve as senior night for the women’s volleyball team, with first serve scheduled for 7 PM.
