MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – The Beloit College volleyball team faced a tough challenge on the road this evening, as they traveled to Mount Vernon, Iowa, to take on Cornell College. Despite a determined effort and moments of strong play, the Buccaneers (2-16, 0-5 MWC) ultimately fell to the Rams (11-7,4-0 MWC) in three sets (12-25, 9-25, 10-25).
Set 1:
The Buccaneers started the match with a focus on their offensive attack. Despite some early challenges, they managed to put together 5 kills. Selin Tufte (Clarkdale, Ariz.) led the team in points during this set, showcasing her attacking prowess. Defensively, the team recorded 2 blocks and 26 digs. The set saw Beloit go on a few mini-runs, but Cornell's consistent offense proved too much, with the Rams taking the set 25-12.
Set 2:
The Buccaneers continued to fight in the second set, improving their attacking percentage from the first set. Key players like Kierra Rayne Hoover (Albuquerque, New Mexico) and Kyra Suiter-Meyers (Orfordville, Wis.) contributed with kills, attempting to ignite Beloit's offense. The team maintained a solid defensive presence with 8 digs, preventing more scoring from Cornell. However, Cornell College's powerful hitting and strategic serving kept Beloit on the defensive, leading to a 25-9 victory for the Rams.
Set 3:
In the final set, Beloit College showed their determination, matching their highest number of kills in the match with 6. Naomi Murphy (Dubuque, Iowa) and Aaliyah Gerard (Aiea, HI) were active at the net, driving the offense. The team's serving also saw some positive moments, achieving an impressive 90.9% success rate. Despite these efforts, Cornell maintained their strong momentum, ultimately winning the set 25-10 and securing the match 3-0.
The Buccaneers head to Grinnell this weekend for a tri-match. They will face Faith Baptist at noon and Luther at 2 pm on Saturday, October 18th.