Volleyball hangs with IIAC preseason favorite Wartburg in loss

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson volleyball team was able to take a set from the Iowa Conference favorites, but Wartburg prevailed in four sets in the league opener for both teams Wednesday night.

Simpson dominated the second set and led by three in the fourth before falling to Wartburg 25-13, 13-25, 25-8, 25-18.

Jacqueline Luth hit .444 with nine kills to lead the Storm (5-6, 0-1 Iowa Conference), who dropped their fifth in a row against Wartburg. Tabitha Blaser had 12 kills but committed 11 errors, MacKenzie McGraw had nine kills and Katie Kieffer handed out 36 assists.

Bailey Wilson hit .379 with 13 kills and five block assists to lead the Knights (11-2, 1-0), who recorded 10 total blocks against the Storm front line.

Following a forgettable first set, Simpson came out strong in the second. Simpson led 3-2 when Kieffer held serve for seven straight points, taking a commanding 10-2 lead. Kieffer had a pair of aces during the rally, which started on a kill by Blaser.

Simpson held on the rest of the way as Luth put the finishing touches on the set with a kill to close it out.

Wartburg handled the third set, but Simpson threatened to extend the contest in the fourth. A kill by Elisa Wildy gave the Storm an early 10-7 lead, which prompted a Wartburg timeout.

The Knights seized control of the set coming out of the timeout, outscoring Simpson 9-3 to take a 17-13 lead. A block by Luth and a kill by Blaser brought Simpson within two at 20-18, but that's as close as it would get.

The Storm have the weekend off and return to conference play Tuesday, Sept. 23 when Luther visits Cowles Fieldhouse.

Notes: Simpson's active career leader in kills, Tabitha Blaser increased her career total to 791 … tonight marked Simpson's first set win over Wartburg in four meetings.