Volleyball drops five-set match after hot start

DECORAH, Iowa – The Simpson volleyball team got out to a two-set lead on the road but fell to Luther, 3-2 (21-25, 24-26, 25-17, 25-21, 15-10) in five sets on Monday night.

The Storm (8-2, 1-1 Iowa Conference) battled back after being down late in the second set for the 26-24 win, then tried to come back again in the fourth set. Simpson trailed 20-10 before mounting a furious rally, pulling within three at 24-21 before an attack attempt sailed out of bounds.

Simpson seized momentum back early in the fifth set and led 3-1 before the Norse (8-7, 1-1) rattled off eight straight, taking an 8-3 lead at the side exchange.

Tabitha Blaser led Simpson with 11 kills, Kat Wetjen added 10 and Katie Kieffer handed out 34 assists.

Leah Broderick hit .440 with 13 kills and Lindsey Ryan had 40 assists to lead Luther.

Simpson was without the services of head coach, Lana Smith, who was ill.

Simpson is off until the IIAC-NIAC Tournament at Wisconsin Dells this weekend.