Simpson takes conference opener 3-1 over Beavers

STORM LAKE, Iowa – The Simpson College women's volleyball team opened American Rivers Conference play on a winning note Wednesday night, defeating Buena Vista 3-1.

The Storm (12-3, 1-0 A-R-C) grabbed a 2-0 lead after taking the first two sets, 25-14 and 26-24. The Beavers (5-9, 0-1 A-R-C) answered with a 25-20 decision in the third, but Simpson regrouped to close out the match behind an error-free fourth set.

GAME SUMMARY

• Simpson ended the first set on a 14-5 run and managed to overcome a 24-22 deficit in the second. Jada Schmidt and Emily Williams both had six kills between the opening two sets to lead the visitors.
• The Beavers responded in set three, using an 8-0 run to erase a Storm lead and pull within 2-1 overall. Buena Vista carried that momentum into the fourth with a quick 5-1 start, but Simpson settled in and finished strong. Behind 11 kills on 30 swings without an attack error, the Storm rolled to their first A-R-C victory.

STORM STANDOUTS

• Jada Schmidt: 12 kills (.524), 12 digs
• Emily Williams: 11 kills, 5 digs
• Morgan DenBeste: 8 kills, 14 digs, 11 assists, 4 blocks
• Hannah Jansen: 18 digs, 4 assists
• Madison Hendrickson: 11 assists, 4 digs

UP NEXT
The Storm have the weekend off and will return to action next Wednesday, hosting Central at 6 p.m.