WPU Sweeps Waldorf in Non-Conference Play
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen volleyball team played well from start to finish to claim a sweep over Waldorf in non-conference action Tuesday.
William Penn (8-17), which won by scores of 25-23, 25-15, 25-19, outhit the Warriors (4-19) by a tally of .193-.109.
The first set was the tightest of the three, featuring nine ties and seven lead changes. The hosts took a timeout after falling behind 19-16, but came out of the huddle a different squad with four straight points. WU produced the next point to make it 20-20, but the Statesmen rattled off five of the last eight points to claim the first set.
The teams battled back and forth in the early parts of the second round. The home squad, which never trailed in the set, led just 9-8, but went on a 5-1 run and managed a couple other small streaks to claim a 2-0 advantage.
The Warriors looked ready to make it interesting in the third set, going up 6-2, but WPU rallied for seven in a row and never fell behind again to finish the sweep.
Nashali Cruz (Fr., Bayamon, P.R., Biology), with a .474 attack mark, and Jordan Carter (Jr., Sigourney, Iowa, Elementary Education), at .438, both tallied a team-high nine kills. Nesreen Iskandrani (So., Lawrence, Kan., History/Government) added five kills, including managing the winning kill in all three sets.
Taniah Ayap (Fr., Hilo, Hawaii, Exercise Science) assisted on 16 points, while Haley Smith (Jr., Adrian, Mich., Elementary Education) recorded 13 assists; Ayap served up a pair of aces as well.
Ashley Miller (Jr., Kalona, Iowa, Exercise Science) finished with 15 digs, while the trio of Cruz, Iskandrani, and Claire Simmons (Sr., Williamsburg, Iowa, Psychology) all had two block assists.
“We were consistent throughout, which is something we have sought for a while now,” Head Coach Jennifer Carlson said. “It was nice to see us finish the sets strong. We are excited to take the momentum from tonight into this weekend’s action and then into the rest of the conference schedule.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Whiting, Ind. this weekend to compete in the Calumet-St. Joseph Tournament. On Friday, the Statesmen take on host Calumet-St. Joseph at 3 p.m. and Governors State (Ill.) at 5 p.m. On Saturday, WPU meets Indiana Northwest at 9 a.m. and Michigan-Dearborn at 1 p.m.
