V-Hawks defeat Fighting Bees, Mitchell reaching new highs

LA CROSSE, Wis. -- The V-Hawks returned home on Tuesday night to compete against the Fighting Bees of St. Ambrose on the annual Dig Pink night. The V-Hawks defeated the Bees 3-1, with their set loss coming in the second set. 

In the third set of the match, Jada Mitchell reached 500 career blocks. With her 500 blocks, Mitchell becomes only the second V-Hawk to reach this milestone in program history. 

The V-Hawks were led in kills by Jada Mitchell with 11. Mitchell also led in blocks and hitting percentage with seven blocks and a 0.600 efficiency. Maddie Connor led the team in assists with 23, and Resse Germann led with 22 digs in the back court defense. Grace Check led the night behind the service line with three aces. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The V-Hawks scored the first point of the match on a block from Sadie Treptow and Jada itchell. The V-Hawks then went on a 4-0 run early in the set with two aces from Grace Check and another Treptow and Mitchell block. The V-Hawks continued improving on their lead, getting ahead at 17-10 with a kill by Sadie Treptow. Another ace by Grace Check and a kill by Izzy Jahr brought the lead to 20-12 late in the set. The V-Hawks closed set two on a kill from Jalen Hinzman, assisted by Jaden Polovina, 25-19. 
• In the second set, the V-Hawks went down 7-4 early in the set, despite two kills from Izzy Jahr. The V-Hawks continued to struggle as the Fighting Bees went on a 5-0 run. The Bees continued going on several small runs, and the V-Hawks couldn't fight back. Viterbo fell in set two 25-14.
• An ace from Maddie Connor opened the third set revenge tour. The V-Hawks went up early 6-2 with an ace from Resse Germann and a kill from Jada Mitchell. Once the ball got into Jaden Polovina's hands, the V-Hawks went on a 9-0 run with Polovina at the service line. The V-Hawks continued to extend their lead, going up 19-6 with a kill from MaKena Ihle. Mia Quist got the ball at the service line and took the V-Hawks on a 6-0 run, putting in an ace. Kills from MaKena Ihle, Hailee Halverson, and Jada Mitchell closed the set 25-7. 
• The V-Hawks scored the first point of the fourth set, but went down early 6-4. A small run flipped to a V-Hawk 7-6 lead. Once Maddie Connor got behind the service line, she went on a 9-0 run. During their 9-0 run, Hailee Halverson had back-to-back-to-back-to-back kills. Halverson scored five of the nine points on their run. The V-Hawks continued and extended their lead, going up 21-11 late in the set. A kill by Izzy Jahr and an error from the Bees finished the set 25-15. 

STATISTICAL LEADERS

• Kills: Jada Mitchell (11)
• Efficiency: Jada Mitchell (0.600)
• Assists: Maddie Connor (23)
• Digs: Resse Germann (22)
• Blocks: Jada Mitchell (7)
• Aces: Grace Check (3)

UP NEXT 

The V-Hawks go on the road for the next CCAC match. They will play against Saint Xavier on October 10 at 6pm and against Governors State at 1pm on October 11.