Volleyball Lost Hard Fought Battle Vs. Undefeated Greenville

The Westminster volleyball team could not hold on to the 2-1 lead as undefeated Greenville battled back to win the match Tuesday evening. The Blue Jays fell 2-3, extending the Greenville Panther’s St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) record to 13-0, but the Blue Jays are the first conference opponent to take two sets off the Panthers.

The Blue Jays kept the score close in set one, but a kill by Greenville’s top hitter rattled them. The Panthers went on a 5-0 run to put the score at 9-4, but the Blue Jays rallied back into the set, tying it at 16-16. The Panthers managed a 9-2 run to finalize set one at 25-18.

Set two was just as intense as set one,with the set being tied at 10-10. An attack error by the Panthers gave the Blue Jays the chance to pull the lead. The Blue Jays managed a 7-2 run before the Panthers worked their way back into the game. A kill by Westminster’s sophomore Lexi Collier ended the set with Blue Jay 25-20 win.

Set three was neck-to-neck throughout the entire set. The Panthers tied the set at 24-24, but two kills by Collier ended the Panthers attempt. The Blue Jays took the 2-1 lead over the Panthers heading into the fourth set.

The Blue Jays struggled in set four as Greenville grasped the 16-7 lead. The Blue Jays brought the game to within five, but the Panthers tied up the match with the 25-21 win.

After taking a 3-0 lead on the Panthers, the Blue Jays lost control of the final set. The Panthers went on a 5-0 run to take the lead, and they never looked back as the defeated the Blue Jays 15-7.

Freshman Riley Lawrence led the Blue Jays with 15 kills, followed by Collier with 14. Freshman setter Kayla Reeg finished with 48 assists and freshman Mallory Hubbard led with 23 digs. Freshman Amanda Kiso blocked seven attacks, including four solo blocks.

Before the match, the Blue Jays recognized 12 staff members for their Staff Appreciation Night. Each volleyball player chose a faculty or staff member that has made the most impact on them while at Westminster. The staff members recognized were: Cliff Cain, Kathy Appleton, Landon Smith, Mary Majerus, Kim Lorentz, Ryan Mullen, Keith Hardeman, Cinnamon Brown, Cindy Schoolcraft, Aimee Bristow, Wayne Zade and Adam Mallette.

The Blue Jays head to Columbia, Missouri to play their last non-conference game against Stephens College. Stephens will be hosting their “Dig Pink” Night in an effort to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Set one will begin at 7:00 p.m.