Statesmen Swept by #12 GVU
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The William Penn volleyball team was unable to steal a set from its visiting rival, falling 3-0 to #12 Grand View in Heart of America Athletic Conference action Tuesday.
WPU (4-10, 0-3 Heart) lost by scores of 12-25, 24-26, 12-25. The navy and gold were outhit .330-.029.
The Statesmen scored three of the night’s first four points, but GVU (9-6, 3-0 Heart) answered and took the lead for good at 6-5.
The home team showed tremendous grit in the second set, keeping the Vikings in the rearview mirror for much of the round. Unfortunately, ahead 19-15, the navy and gold permitted four straight points. The rest of the set was a back-and-forth battle, but Grand View was stronger in the end.
WPU failed to take the momentum back in the final set and lost in straight sets.
Haley Smith (Jr., Adrian, Mich., Elementary Education) managed the best night of any Statesmen player with a double-double of 24 assists and 11 digs.
Nashali Cruz (Fr., Bayamon, P.R., Biology) topped the offense with six kills, while Jordan Carter (Jr., Sigourney, Iowa, Elementary Education) and Alicia Jaquez (Farmington, N.M., Biology) posted five winners each.
Karissa Wilcoxson (Sr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Education) contributed four kills as well.
Ashley Miller (Jr., Kalona, Iowa, Exercise Science) headlined the defensive effort with 14 digs.
Next Up: William Penn remains in Oskaloosa Friday to host Mount Mercy in Heart action at 7 p.m.
