Statesmen Fall in Four Sets to Pioneers

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Oskaloosa–The William Penn women’s volleyball team hosted MidAmerica Nazarene in a Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup Friday.

The Statesmen were looking to extend a five-game winning streak.

WPU (15-6, 3-3 Heart) unfortunately fell to MNU (6-16, 4-4 Heart) in four sets (17-25, 25-13, 22-25, 14-25).

Jordan Carter (Sr., Sigourney, Iowa, Elementary Education) led the attack for the Statesmen with 10 kills. Nashali Cruz (So., Bayamon, P.R., Biology) had a solid night for the navy and gold with nine kills while hitting at a team-best .474 hit percentage.

William Penn was outhit by MidAmerica Nazarene .150-.260

At the setter position Elena Lucero (Fr., Yuba City, Calif., Political Science) paced the Statesmen with 17 assists while Haley Smith (Sr., Adrian, Mich., Elementary Education) assisted on 13 kills.

Defensively two players reached double-digit digs for the home team. Ashley Miller (Sr., Kalona, Iowa, Exercise Science) finished the night with 14 digs to lead the team while Smith chipped in with 11 of her own to complete her double-double.

The Statesmen played well along the net, posting 10 total team blocks in the match-up.

Next Up: WPU will stay at home and take on Central Methodist tomorrow night, Sept. 29, starting at 4 p.m.