Simpson splits on first day of Luther Invite

DECORAH, Iowa - Simpson began play at the Luther Invitational on Friday, splitting matches with Bluffton and No. 14 St. Thomas (Minn.) at Regents Center.

The Storm took care of Bluffton, 28-26, 25-22, 25-16 before meeting up with nationally-ranked St. Thomas. The Tommies beat Simpson in four sets, 25-17, 24-26, 25-14, 25-22.

Amy Schuster (Indianola, Iowa) and Blaiqe Allshouse (Lamoni, Iowa) led the charge against Bluffton, as each hit better than .300 for the game. Allshouse hit .320 with 12 kills while Schuster hit .304 with 10 kills. Lexie Hagerty (Tama, Iowa) handed out 28 assists.

The Storm (5-5) fired 11 aces in the match, holding Bluffton to two.

Megan Dunlavy (Bettendorf, Iowa) led Simpson's upset bid against St. Thomas, tying a season-high with 12 kills while hitting at a .345 clip. Schuster added 12 kills, Hagerty had 31 assists and Monica Driscoll (Williamsburg, Iowa) scooped 20 digs.

Simpson concludes play in Decorah on Saturday, facing No. 20 Nebraska Wesleyan and Viterbo.