Storm open season with 1-3 start at Pacific Coast Classic

POMONA, Calif. - The Simpson women's volleyball team fell in its first three matches of the Pacific Coast Classic this weekend but finished strong, giving the Storm a 1-3 start to the 2011 season.

On Friday, Simpson lost to La Verne in three sets (25-19, 25-15, 25-23) before dropping a tough, five-set match against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (27-25, 21-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-9). The Storm opened Saturday with another five set loss, this time to Pomona-Pitzer (20-25, 27-25, 23-25, 26-24, 15-10). Head coach Lana Smith and the team rallied in the final match of the tournament, blanking Lasell (25-8, 25-17, 25-16).

Steph Keller and Megan Dunlavy led the Simpson attack on the weekend, recording 48 kills apiece. Keller hit .244 with 22 digs and Dunlavy, who nursed a leg injury through much of the preseason, hit .222 with a team-high nine blocks. Ashley Padget and Kristen Watson split time at setter, with Padget providing 80 assists in 10 sets played and Watson adding 41 in eight sets played.

Kim Rogers got the offense started at the libero position, scooping a team-high 50 digs. Outside hitter McKaylie Croghan had 39 digs to go along with 31 kills and a .185 hitting percentage. Kelsey Albers added nine blocks from her middle hitter position.

Simpson gets the Iowa Conference schedule underway Wednesday, Sept. 7 when it hosts Central in a 7:30 p.m. start. Live video can be viewed at http://www.simpsonathletics.com/sports/wvball/livevideo.