Statesmen Swept by Mount Mercy
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–The William Penn volleyball squad will have to wait another night to pick up its first league victory after falling 3-0 to Mount Mercy in Heart of America Athletic Conference play Tuesday.
The Statesmen (3-18, 0-7 Heart) fell by scores of 16-25, 17-25, 13-25.
WPU played even through the night’s first 16 points, but the Mustangs (16-4, 3-0 Heart) reeled off six of the next seven points and stayed ahead for good.
The hosts had another strong start in the second set, going ahead 5-2. Unfortunately, MMU produced another run to get back into it. William Penn completed its own rally to knot things up at 12-12, but the visitors claimed the edge for good with back-to-back points and cruised to the commanding 2-0 lead.
The Statesmen were unfortunately not able to keep up with Mount Mercy in the final round to finish the match.
Savanna Hartman (Sr., Morgan Hill, Calif., Psychology) and her nine kills were a team best, while Claire Simmons (So., Williamsburg, Iowa, Psychology) managed six kills. Sawyer Woodworth (Sr., Parsons, Kan., Physical Education) added five winners in addition to pacing WPU with a .231 attack percentage.
Haley Smith (So., Adrian, Mich., Elementary Education) tallied 11 assists, Belle Potter (So., Spokane, Wash., Sociology and Human Services) served up two aces, and Ashley Miller (So., Kalona, Iowa, Exercise Science) dug 15 balls. Lilly Martinez (Sr., Oakland, Calif., Psychology) guided the defensive net presence with two block assists.
Next Up: William Penn travels to McPherson, Kan. Friday to play in a non-conference triangular hosted by Central Christian. The Statesmen take on host CCC at 4 p.m. and then face Haskell Indian Nations at 6 p.m.
