DUBUQUE, Iowa - Saturday morning, the Stoltz Sports Center was filled with alumni as Spartan Nation represented in full force for homecoming. The Simpson Storm gained momentum early on as they won the first two sets. However, the Spartans would not go down with out a fight after winning the third set. After a continuous battle in the fourth set, the Storm came on top winning the match 3-1 (19-25, 18-25, 25-20, 25-27). 

Entering play, the Spartans trailed the entire first set as the Storm maintained control of the game. University of Dubuque garnered their first lead of the match as they started off on a 5-0 run to begin the second set. The Storm surged back to even the game at 10-10 before stretching out their largest lead of the game by seven, eventually winning (18-25). Featured in the third set was another point-for-point match as they were four ties and three lead changes. The Spartans came out victorious (25-20) as they hit a game high (.256%). The ongoing battle ventured into the fourth set as halfway through the Storm and Spartans were knotted at 16-16. Each team sparked a run at the end, but unfortunately the Storm overpowered the Spartans (25-27). 

The Spartans were led by Emma Powell with 18 kills and 18 digs, followed by Alexis Bedier with 11 kills and Darby Hawtrey with nine kills. Kaylynn Murray recorded 23 assists while Maegan Brylski tallied 16, and Emily Swanson lead the defensive attack with four blocks. The four set match highlighted a total of 14 ties and seven lead changes. The Spartans now sit at 10-15 overall and 4-3 in conference play.

Up Next
The Spartans will wrap up conference play on Wednesday night, October 26, as they travel to face nationally ranked Coe College Kohawks, who sit atop of the American Rivers Conference standings. The match is scheduled to serve at at 6:00 p.m.