Statesmen Drop Matchup Versus Grand View
Des Moines–The William Penn women’s volleyball team had a rivalry matchup on Friday night as they took to the road to face the Grand View Vikings.
The Statesmen were unable to even up the season series, dropping the match in four sets by scores of 25-18, 23-25, 25-11, and 25-20.
Looking to avenge their loss from their first matchup, the Statesmen jumped out to a 6-5 lead to begin the match. The Vikings finally broke through at the midway point of the set, however, taking a 14-12 lead and forcing a William Penn timeout. The visitors could not regain their momentum as they were forced to take their second timeout of the set, trailing 21-15 and eventually lost the set.
The second bout was a much more closely-contested one, as the two teams remained deadlocked at 17. After the Statesmen took a brief two-point advantage, the sides found themselves tied up yet again, this time at 21. With the score tied up one more time at 23, an incredible diving save from Peyton Foster (Jr., Graham, Wash., Business Management) led to a key Statesmen point, and eventually the navy and gold equalized the match at 1-1.
Unable to capitalize on their second set momentum, the Statesmen found themselves off to a tough 6-0 deficit to begin the third. Things did not get much more encouraging from there as GVU went back ahead for good with an easy win.
The Vikings did not record a big run to open the fourth, but did manage a 5-3 lead at the start of the potential clincher. The Statesmen played to a 9-9 tie, and the score never deviated too far to either side, but the Vikings did edge out a three-point advantage at 18-15. WPU unfortunately never recovered and lost the set and the match.
The Statesmen hit .152 as a team, while the Vikings owned a .245 clip.
No Statesmen reached double-digit kills for the match with Alicia Jaquez (Sr., Farmington, N.M., Biology) and Kianna Childers (Sr., Copperas Cove, Texas, Psychology) leading the way with nine each.
Foster and Cameryn Campbell (Sr., Jefferson City, Mo., Elementary Education) topped the team in digs again, but this time it was Foster who was best with 14, while Campbell finished just behind her with 13.
Makaila Winward (Fr., St. Louis Park, Minn., Psychology) operated as the primary setter, assisting in 22 of the team’s 33 kills on the night. She also added two service aces.
“I thought we competed well at times, but when we are playing a tough team like that, we have to be consistent, and tonight we were not,” said Head Coach Aleesha Cleaver. “Our block did a really good job of getting touches and slowing balls down, and that really kept us in the game.”
What’s Next: The Statesmen have a quick turnaround as they are back in action on Sunday at Mount Mercy. In their last matchup, the Mustangs defeated the Statesmen in four sets.
