Storm knocks off two top-25 programs at Border Battle
DUBUQUE, Iowa – Whitney Oviatt took the lead role for Simpson Friday, leading the team with 33 total kills as the Storm knocked off a pair of top-25 opponents at the 2009 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Border Battle, defeating No. 17 Concordia-Moorhead 3-1 (25-19, 21-25, 25-18, 25-21) and No. 6 St. Thomas 3-2 (19-25, 22-25, 29-27, 25-21, 15-10).
Simpson (10-8, 3-1 IIAC) entered the tournament as the only Iowa Conference representative with a winning record in the event (11-9), which began in 2004. After day one of the Iowa edition of the Border Battle, the two conferences tied with four wins a-piece.
Oviatt started her big day with 13 kills (13-5-29) and a .276 hitting percentage in the opener against the Cobbers. Megan Dunlavy and Lara Gillespie each added 10 kills to the cause, hitting .409 and .152, respectively. Tara Chirstensen handed out 40 assists and Brittany Friesth led the way with 16 digs defensively. Oviatt and Dunlavy each charted three blocks for the Storm.
In Simpson's second match of the night, the Storm tallied their second five-set win in six tries, but needed a big comeback to do so.
Simpson spotted St. Thomas two sets before winning the final three for the win.
Oviatt dominated the Tommies, amassing a game-high 20 kills and a .349 hitting percentage in the match to go along with four blocks. Dunlavy and Gillespie contributed 13 kills a piece and McKayle Croghan chipped in with 10 as the Storm knocked off an AVCA Top-25 opponent for the third time this season.
Christensen again paced the Storm with 54 assists while Friesth got the offense started with a game-high 33 digs.
All of Simpson's upsets have come against MIAC opponents. Simpson dropped No. 10 St. Benedict, 3-2 on Sept. 5.
Simpson begins day two of the Border Battle with those Blazers (now ranked No. 19) at 11 a.m. The Storm closes the day with a 3 p.m. match with Gustavus Adolphus.
