V-Hawks Earn First Win of the Season

CALDWELL, Idaho - The Viterbo University Women's Volleyball team, ranked #5 in the NAIA Top 25 Preseason Coaches Poll, secured their first win of this season on Saturday defeating Arizona Christian University 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 26-24). However, they would then lose later in the day, 0-3 (22-25, 14-25, 20-25), to (RV) College of Idaho. The V-Hawks now sit at 1-3 on the year. 

The V-Hawks came storming out against the Firestorm taking a 12-4 lead early in the first behind service aces from Cailie Kowal and Grace Check as well as a pair kills from Grace Peyron and a Martina McGrath-Izzy Jahr block. Jada Mitchell produced a pair of kills and ACU committed a variety of errors helping the V-Hawks take the first at 25 to 18.

The V-Hawks would start the second set just as strong quickly going up 5-1 behind a Maddie Connor service ace and Jahr kill. Casey Franklin would score back-to-back points with a kill and a McGrath-assisted block to put VU up 10-4. Peyron sparked a late run that gave Viterbo the 19-10 advantage, and Mia Quist recorded back to back aces as the V-Hawks cruised to a 25 to 14 win.

Viterbo would fall behind early in the third set 12-6, but Mitchell's kill started a run that was highlighted by a pair of McGrath kills as Viterbo slowly battled back and tied the match at 22 to 22. Franklin and Jahr each had lake kills and the V-Hawks were assisted by more Firestorm errors as they were able to complete the sweep 26 to 24. 

Viterbo boasted a spread out offensive attack as Mitchell led the team with eight kills and Jahr and McGrath each added seven. Connor led the way with 16 assists while Kowal added 14 and 10 digs. McGrath also posted three blocks. For Arizona Christian, Sydney Brown recorded a match high 11 kills. 

Against the College of Idaho, Jahr started the match with a kill and Peyron and Mitchell combined for a block to tie the match 5-5. However, the Yotes would begin to build their lead with a 4-0 run. Hailee Halverson put down a kill as the teams traded points, but the V-Hawks were not able to overcome the early deficit. Halverson and McGrath had a late block to bring the game to 20 to 21 and while an error by the Yotes tied the match at 22-22, they would score three straight for the first set win.

Idaho then jumped out to a commanding 10-1 lead in the second set and while back-to-back kills from Halverson started the scoring for the V-Hawks, it would not be enough. Despite three late kills from Jahr, the Yotes would win 25 to 14 .

Mitchell and Peyron recorded a block assist to begin the third set but again, College of Idaho would take the early lead, 6-3. Kenidi McCabe had two service aces as part of a 6-0 run that helped the V-Hawks build a 13-10 lead. The teams traded runs as Sadie Treptow put Viterbo ahead 16-14 but College of Idaho would have the final say, ending the match on a 6-2 run and winning 25 to 20. 

Jahr led Hawks with 11 kills, Connor had 15 assists and 11 digs, while Kowal had 13. McCabe had a match-high 16 digs. Haley McUne had 12 kills for the Yotes, and Savannah Hutchins had 18 assists. 

The V-Hawks returned to action on Friday, August 23rd at 11:00 a.m. as they host #6 Midland University in the first match of the Viterbo V-Hawk invitational.