Volleyball stumbles in home opener

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson volleyball team led Buena Vista for a majority of the first set, but the preseason conference favorite was too much in the end as the Beavers spoiled the home opener at Cowles Fieldhouse, beating Simpson 3-0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-18).

Jade Schaap had 12 kills and Maddie Bardole had 10 and hit .429 for the Beavers (12-7, 2-1 Iowa Conference), who have won six of their last seven. Setter Laura Barry had 30 assists and Nevada Meis led the defense with four block assists and one block solo.

Outside hitters Tabitha Blaser and Jacqueline Luth had seven kills apiece for the Storm (9-9, 0-3), who saw a four-match winning streak come to a close. Olivia Sulentic had 12 digs and Sara Hoppenworth handed out 17 assists.

Simpson jumped out to an early lead, going up 12-6 on Luth's third kill of the first set. Buena Vista responded with a 7-0 run and Schaap broke a 13-all tie with two staight kills, helping the Beavers keep the lead the remainder of the set.

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Simpson goes to Bloomington, Ill. for the Illinois Wesleyan Barker Classic this weekend.