V-Hawks Split at SAU Invitational

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Women's Volleyball landed 1-1 on Saturday falling to #14 Park University (25-22, 19-25, 16-25, 23-25) and sweeping Mount Mercy (25-19, 25-20, 25-15). The V-Hawks sit at 11-8 (CCAC 3-0) while the Pirates rise to 9-3, and the Mustangs fall to 5-9.

Izzy Jahr would take the first kills for the V-Hawks in set one of match one of the day assisted by Cailie Kowal. On a four point run at the service of Mia Quist, Jahr would complete another kill with Martina McGrath to follow with a kill and a solo block after an ace. Jada Mitchell with a kill set up by Kowal would put the V-Hawks at set point ending on a Pirates attack error.

The V-Hawks would being set two from behind until a timeout where Sadie Treptow would open the game for the V-Hawks with a set from Maddie Connor. Treptow keeping the energy with a half block also by Mitchell. With the attempt to comeback from a deficit McGrath would take to the net assisted by Kowal. Connor and Mitchell with a block would be the last point scored for the V-Hawks in set two at 19-21.

McGrath from Kowal would close the gap from behind in set three. VU's Kenidi McCabe would tie up the set at 9-9 with a service ace, where the volley for the lead would begin. Mitchell would have a strong hand in keeping the tie with a kill and two blocks to put the V-Hawks in a narrow lead. McGrath would find the kill once more in the end of the set though the Pirate would go on a six point run, sending the V-Hawks into the fourth set.

Viterbo once again started from behind, with a kill from Hailee Halverson putting the V-Hawks on the board. Casey Frankland from Kowal would tie up the match at 7-7, and McGrath would tie it up again at 9-9. Connor assisted by McCabe would sneak a three point run in for the V-Hawks taking the lead as McCabe came up to serve. VU would tie up the set once more at the 22-22 mark on a Kowal kill, followed by a final attack from McGrath.

McGrath led the V-Hawks attack with 11 kills, while Connor led with 18 assists and Kowal with 16. McCabe would take 23 digs for the V-Hawks while the Pirates Grecia Ung would lead with 19 kills, and Julia Alvarez with 33 assists.

The V-Hawks would open match two of the day with a Kill by McGrath. Mitchell's solo block would put VU into double digits, while she would follow it up with a kill assisted by Kowal. Off a McCabe service Hailee Halverson would claim the next attack putting the score at 18-12. Treptow would take the final kill, claiming set one.

Halverson and McGrath on a block would claim an early lead for the V-Hawks. Connor would advance the lead with a service ace, followed by setting up Treptow up for the kill. To end the set Connor would once again set up McGrath to end set two.

Viterbo start set three from behind, quickly recovering with a kill from McCabe. Grace Peyron from Connor would widen the lead for the V-Hawks. The V-Hawks would go on a four point run on a Mikaela Marquardt serve, with an ace and two McGrath kills. Mitchell would end the match with the final kill set up by Connor.

McGrath led the V-Hawks with 10 kills followed closely by Mitchell and Treptow with 9 each, while Connor supplied 17 assists. McCabe took 17 digs while Marquardt took 13. Mary Kate Bendlage led the Mustangs with nine kills, and Hailey Hested had 27 assists.

The V-Hawks return to action Saturday September 21^th as they take on Indiana South Bend.