[Women's Volleyball] Mustangs Win As One
Chicago, Ill. - Strong individual performances come together in team effort to lead Mustangs in another 3-1 weekend. After opening the 2018 season with a record of 3-1 last weekend, the Mustangs had a repeat performance at the St. Xavier/Trinity Christian Crossover. The Mustangs swept both Roosevelt University and University of St. Francis (Ill.), while splitting against Saint Xavier University and Trinity Christian College both receiving votes in the Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll.
On Friday, August 24, the Mustangs defeated Roosevelt University 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-14) in their first match of the night. Leading the attack was Torie Alexander (FR/Cedar, Iowa) with 10 kills and Alyssa Weldon (JR/Oxford, Iowa) with nine, while Kayla Daggett (SO/Madison, Wis.) contributed 20 assists. Heading the defense was Lauren Stopko (SR/Tiffin, Iowa) with 14 digs. In match two of the night, the Mustangs fell to (RV) Saint Xavier University 1-3 (21-25, 21-25, 25-22, 23-25). After dropping the first two sets, the Mustangs would rally in the third to extend the match to four sets but could not overcome the 1-2 deficit. Olivia Coe (SR/Ankeny, Iowa) led with 12 kills and Weldon, Becca Thomson (SR/Rock Island, Ill.), and Maddie Bell (SO/Ely, Iowa) added 11, 10, and nine respectively. Daggett dished out 34 assists and Stopko led the defense with 28 digs.
On Saturday, August 25, the Mustangs outplayed both of their opponents. First taking care of University of St. Francis (Ill.) 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-20) where the offensive leaders were Weldon with 12 kills and Daggett with 28 assists. Weldon would also lead the defense with 17 digs with Stopko adding 12 of her own. In the second match of the day and final match of the tournament, the Mustangs would get the victory over (RV) Trinity Christian College 3-1 (19-25, 26-24, 25-20, 25-17). This being the same team that handed the Mustangs a 0-3 loss last season. Despite dropping the first set, the Mustangs battled back to win the next three sets under the command of Thomson, Weldon, Coe, and Bell combining for 49 out of 54 Mustang kills. Dagget supplied 45 assists and Stopko completed 25 digs.
With two four-game weekend tournaments under their belt, the Mustangs are off to a 6-2 start. Weekend leaders were Weldon with 38 kills, Daggett with 127 assists, Bell with 14 blocks, and Stopko with 79 digs. Up next, the Mustangs will host their home opener this Tuesday, August 28 against the Fighting Bees of Saint Ambrose University at 7:00 P.M. in the Hennessey Rec Center.