V-Hawks Open Conference Play with Sweep over Waldorf

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Women's Volleyball team, ranked #6 in the most recent NAIA Top 25 Coaches Poll, earned a 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-21) sweep over Waldorf University (Iowa) in their NSAA Conference Home Opener on Wednesday night. The V-Hawks improve to 14-2 (1-0 NSAA) on the  year, while the Warriors fall to 8-2 (0-1 NSAA).

The V-Hawks jumped out to a 4-0 star behind Maddie Connor's service ace and a Marissa Kleman-Jada Mitchell block, and after Kleman combined with Martina McGrath for another block and a Grace Rohde kill, Viterbo would find themselves up 12-5. Kenzie Winker started another run with a kill that saw a Kenidi McCabe ace, and a McGrath-Winker block, bringing the score to 21-8. Winker had three late kills, and McGrath ended the set, 25-12.

The second set started closer, tied 5-5, when Kelman's kill stared a quick run that included kills by Connor and McGrath. Rohde and Winker paced the offense as VU slowly extended that lead, and after Mitchell's two late kills, back-to-back Warrior errors ended the set 25-17.

Waldorf took the early lead in the third set, going up 4-7, but the V-Hawks responded with an 8-0 run, highlighted by three Rohde kills, and one from Sadie Treptow. Mitchell and Rohde led the offense as VU extended that lead, and after a late Waldorf rally brought the score to 24-21, Winker's kill ended the match.

Winker and Rodhe each recorded a match-high 12 kills, and Mitchell added 11. Connor had 33 assists, while McCabe led with 11 digs. McGrath posted three blocks. Kenzie and Sydney Kidd each had six kills for the Warriors.

The V-Hawks return to action on Wednesday, September 20 as they travel to #12 Bellevue University (Neb.).