V-Hawks Upset by Lions

SIOUX CITY, Iowa. – The Viterbo University Women's Volleyball team, the #14 overall seed in the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Tournament, played their first game of pool play at the Final Site on Thursday evening, falling to Nelson University (Texas), 3-1 (25-21, 25-21, 25-23, 25-18). The V-Hawks fall to 26-10, while the lions improve to 31-6.

Martina McGrath on a solo block would earn the V-Hawks a critical point in the opening 10. The V-Hawks would remain on the defensive while, Maddie Connor would set up Hailee Halverson for two kills keeping the V-Hawks in the set. Sadie Treptow would send one more kill past before the Lions would deal the set ending kill.

Looking to clinch the second set Cailie Kowal would find key spots for Jada Mitchell and Izzy Jahr to capitalize on four points claiming the lead. Mitchell taking to the net would find back to back blocked supported by Treptow and Halverson. With a steady lead Halverson would take a kill from Kenidi McCabe, finishing off the set with a block by Halverson and Mitchell.

The V-Hawks battling for the lead would find Mitchell and Halverson leading the charge, McGrath and Treptow working at the neck with a series of blocks, before the Lions would take over in the lead claiming set three.

Mia Quist on the service would put the V-Hawks on the advantage followed by back to back kills by Jahr to hold the lead. With three blocks in a row by McGrath, Treptow, Halverson, and Mitchell before Connor and Kowal found Mitchell for a series of kills the V-Hawks would hold the lead. Grace Peyron with a solo block would tie up the set for the final time before the Lions would go on a five point run taking the match.

Mitchell led the V-Hawks with 11 kills, while Kowal supplied 17 assists and McCabe took 19 digs reaching her 2,000 career dig. Mackenzie Smith led the Lions with 15 kills.

The V-Hawks return to action Friday, December 6 against Southern Oregon.