Smith picks up milestone win in sweep

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- Hannah Lester hit .545 with 14 kills and head coach Lana Smith became the program's career wins leader as the Simpson volleyball team beat Monmouth 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. Simpson won by set scores of 25-14, 25-18, 25-19.

Smith earned career win No. 333, passing the late Shelley (Scott) O'Meara as the winningest coach in program history. In her 20th season as head coach, Smith is 333-320.

Lester headlined a dominant effort by the Storm (7-14), who hit .424 as a team, the highest mark since hitting .426 in a 3-0 win over Macalester on Sept. 1. Megan LeMay and Madison Hawtrey had eight kills apiece, Alyssa Mathews handed out 37 assists and Ariana Martinez led the way with 13 digs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Set | Simpson took control of the opening set with an 8-0 run that broke a 5-5 tie. Lester contributed three kills during the set as the Storm cruised to an easy 11-point win.

Second Set | Simpson used another big run to break open a close set. Monmouth pulled within 11-9 on a kill by Brooke Decker before a service error triggered five-straight points for the Storm. LeMay closed the set with her third kill.

Third Set | Simpson left little doubt about the result by opening a 10-3 lead to begin the third set. Lester and Hawtrey combined for five kills during the stretch as the Storm rode the earlier momentum to a much-needed win.

STAT OF THE MATCH

Three different Simpson players with at least 10 attempts hit better than .500 for the match -- Lester (.545), LeMay (.533) and Lexie Parks (.500).

UP NEXT

The Storm return to American Rivers Conference play Tuesday, Oct. 16 when they travel to face Wartburg. Start time is set for 7:30 p.m. in Waverly.