Trio Reach Double Figures in Loss to Culver-Stockton
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Canton, Mo.–The Statesmen volleyball team could not come up with the big points in crucial situations and suffered a 3-1 Heart of America Athletic Conference setback to Culver-Stockton Tuesday.
Despite outhitting the home team .180-.170, William Penn (6-13, 2-6 Heart) lost by scores of 15-25, 25-19, 24-26, 26-28.
The visitors got off to a solid start, leading 10-6 in the opening set. Unfortunately, still up four at 12-8, the navy and gold hit a major dry spell and the Wildcats (7-13, 1-6 Heart) cruised past them for the easy win in the initial round.
WPU again captured a large advantage in Set #2, scoring 12 of the first 18 points, but again the home team rallied to close within one at 17-16. The Statesmen regained their composure, however, with three straight points and held on to tie the matchup at 1-1. The visiting crew hit a match-high .226 in the second set.
William Penn led just a handful of times in a tight third set that never witnessed a lead larger than two points. The visitors had C-SC in their rearview at 22-20, but the Wildcats roared back with six of the last eight points for a 2-1 edge.
With seven of the first eight points in the fourth set, Culver-Stockton appeared well on its way to easily closing out the Statesmen. WPU had other ideas, though, and erased the deficit. Once again, the squad pulled out to a 22-20 lead, but once again, the Wildcats found a way to come away with the set and the match.
Claire Simmons (Sr., Williamsburg, Iowa, Psychology) continued her recent tear with a 15-kill effort, while Jordan Carter (Jr., Sigourney, Iowa, Elementary Education) (13 kills, .387 attack pct.) and Nashali Cruz (Fr., Bayamon, P.R., Biology) (10 kills, .368 attack pct.) also finished with double digits.
Nesreen Iskandrani (So., Lawrence, Kan., History/Government) was an impactful player on offense as well with seven winners.
Haley Smith (Jr., Adrian, Mich., Elementary Education) produced 41 assists and Ashley Miller (Jr., Kalona, Iowa, Exercise Science) came up with 37 digs.
Next Up: William Penn travels to Marshall, Mo. Friday to face #21 Missouri Valley in Heart action at 7 p.m.
