Viterbo Sweeps #14 Bellevue

LA CROSSE, Wis. - The Viterbo University Volleyball team, ranked eighth in the most recent NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll, took on #14 Bellevue at the R.W. Beggs Sr. Gymnasium on Friday night. The V-Hawks swept Bellevue 3-0, (25-20, 25-22, 25-23). The V-Hawks improve to 17-6 overall and 7-0 in conference play while the Bruins fall 15-6 overall and 5-1 in league play.

The V-Hawks took the lead early on in the first set 13-8 with service aces by Adrianna Reinhart and Maddie Connor. Bellevue had a four-point streak before trading points with Viterbo and tying the game 17-17. Kills by Viterbo's Kenzie Winker, Jada Mitchell, and Martina McGrath helped the V-Hawks regain their lead 20-18. The teams traded points and led to a Bellevue timeout with 22-20 on the board. Two kills by Winker helped the V-Hawks take home set one 25-20.

Viterbo got another head start in set two scoring 11-3 with a solo and assisted block by Mitchell. After a Bellevue timeout teams traded points. With 17-10 on the board Viterbo maintained their lead with a kill by Mitchell. The Bruins answered back putting up four straight points on the board with two services aces by Ryen Hawkey bringing the score close, 23-21. After a Viterbo timeout a couple errors by Bellevue gave the V-Hawks the victory 25-22. 

Bellevue took over early on in set three scoring 6-9 with a kill by Sierra Athen. A service ace by Viterbo's Reinhart helped the V-Hawks close the gap 13-15. The two teams traded points and kills by Mitchell and Winker would tie the game 20-20. Viterbo forced a Bellevue timeout after an assisted block by Mitchell and Winker along with a kill by Marissa Kleman brought the score up 23-21. A kill by Mitchel helped the V-Hawks dominate the third set 25-23.

V-Hawk's freshman Jada Mitchell led the team with 14 kills followed by Winker with with 13. Adrianna Reinhart added 18 digs while setter Lauryn Sobasky produced 18 assists. Mitchell also led the team with 3 solo blocks and 5 block assists.

For the Bruins Sierra Athen led the team with 11 kills. Taylan Keefer put up 20 digs while Olivia Galas contributed 30 assists.

The V-Hawks will stay at home to compete against Waldorf University on Wednesday, October 12th at 7:00PM CST.