Pair of five-set wins help Simpson split weekend tourney

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Simpson volleyball team earned a pair of five-set wins Saturday at the Illinois Wesleyan Barker Classic, finishing the weekend 2-2.

Three of Simpson's four matches went five sets, making for an exciting weekend of volleyball. On Friday, Simpson lost to Lincoln Christian 3-2 (19-25, 25-13, 25-22, 20-25, 15-13) before falling to Illinois Wesleyan 3-0 (25-12, 25-20, 25-16). Simpson responded Saturday with five-set, comeback wins over Adrian (20-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-22, 17-15) and Rose-Hulman (18-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-13, 15-9).

Libero Olivia Sulentic earned a spot on the all-tournament team.

LINCOLN CHRISTIAN
Simpson won the first set but dropped the next two before winning the fourth set, forcing a fifth set. Jacqueline Luth led the Storm with 15 kills and Sulentic had 26 digs.

ILLINOIS WESLEYAN
Tabitha Blaser had eight kills and MacKenzie McGraw seven in the three-set loss. Sara Hoppenworth assisted on all 30 of Simpson's kills.

ADRIAN
Luth led the way with 21 kills and Blaser chipped in 15. Hoppenworth ran the offense to the tune of 55 assists. Sami Boekhoff had five total blocks and Sulentic had 48 digs.

ROSE-HULMAN
Blaser, Luth and McGraw all reached double-figure kills and Hoppenworth finished with 47 assists. Blaser had 19 kills, Luth 15 and McGraw 10. Sulentic had 54 digs.

UP NEXT
Simpson looks to get its first Iowa Conference win when its hosts Dubuque on Tuesday, Oct. 6.