Volleyball can't hold lead in five-set loss to Graceland

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson volleyball team controlled play early, but Graceland came roaring back to steal a five-set match Thursday.

Simpson posted convincing wins in the first two sets before faltering down the stretch, falling to NAIA Graceland 20-25, 19-25, 25-16, 25-22, 15-11. 

Despite dropping two straight sets, Simpson had a chance to salvage a win in set five. An ace by Sara Hoppenworth put Simpson up 6-4 before a pair of errors allowed Graceland to score four straight. With the score tied 10-all, a kill by Allie Krabbenhoft and an ace by Natalia Robles helped Graceland outscore Simpson 5-1 down the stretch.

Krabbenhoft had a match-high 14 kills and zero errors while hitting .538 to lead the Yellowjackets (11-13) in the first meeting between the teams since 2003.

Tabitha Blaser had a double-double with 13 kills and 14 digs to go along with four service aces for the Storm (11-14), who lost for the third straight match. MacKenzie McGraw added 11 kills and Jacqueline Luth had nine. 

Hoppenworth and Maura Chadwick split the setting duties to the tune of 21 assists apiece and Olivia Sulentic finished with 28 digs.

Simpson hit .353 in the first set and .229 in the second, but hit just .000, .125 and .059 in sets 3-through-5, respectively.

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Simpson will play Gustavus Adolphus and Hamline at the Gustavus Quadrangular in St. Peter, Minn. on Saturday.