WPU Drops Pair on Road
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Dubuque–The final road trip of the year did not go as well as hoped for the Statesmen volleyball team as it fell twice in a triangular hosted by Clarke Saturday.
William Penn (11-25, 2-16 Heart) lost the opener 3-0 to Heart of America Athletic Conference foe Clarke (13-25, 22-25, 14-25) and then lost the second match of the day 3-1 to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.) (12-25, 19-25, 25-18, 11-25).
Clarke 3, WPU 0
The Statesmen hit close to their season average at .133, but unfortunately the Pride (27-8, 13-6 Heart) were much stronger at .330.
Kiara Davis (So., Thibodaux, La., Biology) guided the team with eight kills and a .667 hitting mark. Alexis Weatherspoon (Jr., Kansas City, Mo., Physical Education) was also productive with six winners.
Haley Smith (Jr., Adrian, Mich., Elementary Education) assisted 15 times, while Ashley Miller (Jr., Kalona, Iowa, Exercise Science) managed 13 digs. Nashali Cruz (Fr., Bayamon, P.R., Biology) posted a team-best two solo blocks as well.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods 3, WPU 1
William Penn dug itself into a 2-0 hole before bouncing back with a solid third set that featured the squad hitting .257; overall, WPU was outhit .219-.065. Unfortunately, the fourth set belonged to its opposition to end the day.
A team-high nine kills were tallied by Nesreen Iskandrani (So., Lawrence, Kan., History/Government), while the trio of Weatherspoon, Claire Simmons (Sr., Williamsburg, Iowa, Psychology), and Jordan Carter (Jr., Sigourney, Iowa, Elementary Education) all recorded six kills.
Taniah Ayap (Fr., Hilo, Hawaii, Exercise Science) came up with 15 assists, while Haley Vampran (Jr., Fort Worth, Texas, Exercise Science) served up two aces in addition to 12 digs. Miller was again the defensive leader with 16 digs. Belle Potter (Jr., Spokane, Wash., Undecided) also produced for the defense by digging 11 Saint Mary-of-the Woods’ attacks.
Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa next Tuesday, closing out the year on Senior Night against Culver-Stockton in Heart play at 7 p.m.
