Storm fall to Coe in four sets, DenBeste with new career-high

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Storm fell in four sets against the A-R-C top-ranked Coe College tonight. After dropping the first two sets, Simpson fought back to win the third set. The Kohawks took set four after a strong fight from the Storm.

In tonight's loss, Emily Williams led the way in kills with 18 total, followed closely by Jada Schmidt with 16 kills. Morgan DenBeste led the team in assists with 46, and Ella Meyer brought 23 digs to the table. Emily Williams 18 kills and 15 digs brings her another double-double for the 2024 season.

Despite the loss, Morgan DenBeste recorded a new career-high assists, recording 46 tonight, beating her previous record of 42 that she set for herself in the 2023 season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Set one was a quick start for the Storm with assistance by Emily Williams. Williams earned three kills in a row early in the first set for Simpson. A kill by Peyton Mitchell brought the Storm to a 5-3 lead early. Three runs by Coe in the middle of the match put the Storm down 14-12, but a kill by Jada Schmidt cut the run off. The set went back and forth for much of the back half, but the Kohawks took set one 25-22.
• The Storm started down 5-0 in set two after a Coe run. A kill by Jada Schmidt slowed the Coe momentum. Simpson went on a short 3-0 run with a kill by Courtney Paxton. The team fought to bring the score back to 15-10 in favor of the Kohawks. The rest of the set was a back and forth match with multiple kills by Emily Williams. The Storm lost set two 25-18.
• In a must-win third set, the Storm came out swinging. Kills by Lauren Roman and Jada Schmidt started Simpson off quickly. A kill by Emily Williams and an ace by Ella Meyer brought the score to 5-2 in favor of the Storm early. The Storm then went on a 7-0 run with kills by Emmy Seiler, Emily Williams, and Peyton Mitchell, as well as two aces for Audrey Behrens. Simpson went on another 6-0 run with two aces by Emily Williams and a kill by Jada Schmidt to bring the score to a defiant 18-4 lead for the Storm. Some back and forth play late in the third set brought the set to an end with Simpson winning 25-19.
• The Storm scored the first point in set four with a kill by Emmy Seiler, followed by an ace from Jada Schmidt. Coe went on a 3-0 run, but Emmy Seiler cut the run off with a kill. An attack by Peyton Mitchell and Emily Williams kept Simpson with the lead at 5-4. The Kohawks went on a 6-0 run to take the lead 10-5. A kill by Peyton Mitchell alongside an ace by Emily Williams kept the Storm in the match, bringing the score back to 10-8. The Storm struggled to find the lead again, but kills by Jada Schmidt and Emmy Seiler brought the team back within one at 22-21. Two more kills by Emily Williams kept the Storm in the match, but ultimately, Simpson fell in set four 25-23.

STANDOUT PLAYERS
Emily Williams: 18 kills, 15 digs, 3 aces
Jada Schmidt: 16 kills, 5 digs, 3 blocks, 1 ace
Peyton Mitchell: 9 kills, 3 aces, 4 blocks
Ella Meyer: 23 digs, 2 aces
Morgan DenBeste: 46 assists, 7 digs, 2 blocks

NOTES

• Morgan DenBeste's 46 assists on the night is a new career-high for the junior setter, breaking her previous record of 42. DenBeste also tied her season-high blocks with two.
• Emily Williams tied her season-best aces with three.
• Peyton Mitchell tied her season-best aces with three.

UP NEXT
The Storm take on Wartburg on November 2nd at 11 a.m. at the Cowles Fieldhouse in Indianola.