Storm drop five-set thriller to Dubuque

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Tabitha Blaser had a big day with 18 kills and seven service aces, but Dubuque rallied in the fifth set to beat the Simpson volleyball team 3-2 (27-25, 22-25, 26-24, 18-25, 15-13) on Tuesday.

Simpson led 8-6 in the fifth set but couldn't hold off Klaudia Basierak and the Spartans (11-12, 2-2 Iowa Conference). Dubuque used a 4-0 run to break a 10-10 tie in the deciding set, getting three of its final six points off Basierak kills.

The conference leader in kills, Basierak finished with a match-high 23 as Dubuque handed Simpson its fourth loss of the conference season.

Blaser led a well-balanced attack for the Storm (11-12, 0-4), who finished the day with 14 aces in a losing effort. Niki Dean had a career-high 13 kills and hit .250 while Jacqueline Luth and MacKenzie McGraw added 11 kills apiece. Sara Hoppenworth finished with 51 assists and Olivia Sulentic had 31 digs.

Simpson forced a fifth set thanks to big efforts by Luth and Dean in the fourth. Quiet for the first three sets, Luth came alive with five kills in seven attempts. Dean followed her lead, getting four kills on just six attempts. Neither committed an error in the set, which ended on an ace from Blaser.

SMITH RECOGNIZED
Prior to the match, Simpson recognized head coach Lana Smith for earning her 300th career win on on Sept. 25. Simpson beat Marian 3-1 at the IIAC-NACC Crossover to give Smith No. 300. 

UP NEXT
Simpson has the weekend off before returning to conference play next Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Coe.