V-Hawks Clinch Conference Tournament Title

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The No. 1 Seed Viterbo University Women's Volleyball team defeated No. 2 Saint Xavier (IL) (25-12, 25-19, 25-20) on Saturday afternoon to clinch the CCAC conference tournament title. The V-Hawks rise to 25-9 (CCAC 14-0) while the Cougars fall to 19-11 (CCAC 13-1).

Kenidi McCabe opened the match with two service aces boosted by a block by Hailee Halverson and Jada Mitchell. Another block by the Halverson-Mitchell duo propelling the V-Hawks into the lead, before the Cougars would go on a run in an attempt to close the gap. On the final kill of the set Maddie Connor would find Mitchell taking set one.

The V-Hawks carrying the energy would quickly take the lead with an eight point run fueled by Marina McGrath and Izzy Jahr. Jahr would sneak in two more hard hitting kills after a block by Mitchell and Sadie Treptow. The V-Hawks propel further into the lead with Jahr swinging for the final kills.

Mitchell in position to block would get back to back kills supported by Halverson and Grace Peyron, followed by a four point run when Cailie Kowal set up Mitchell for a prime kill. McGrath finding her mark off Mia Quist's serves would force SXU to take a timeout before Jahr would take another kill. With two point to claim the match Freshman Jillian Pergande would claim a block with Peyron before Peyron would strike down the final attack of the match.

Jahr led the V-hawk with 12 kills, while Kowal supplied 22 assists and McCabe took 13 digs. Courtney Hunter led the Cougars with eight kills.

The V-Hawks return to action Saturday November 23 for the NAIA opening round of the national tournament.