DECORAH, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's volleyball team split on Saturday at the Luther College Norse Open after losing their first match with Augsburg University in straight sets and then rebounding with a win against Hamline University in four sets 3-1.
Game 1 vs Augsburg University
The Spartans matched up with the Augsburg University Auggies in the first match of the day and the Auggies would be too much for the Spartans as they were swept in straight sets (17-25, 19-25, 19-25). The first set was tied at 9-9 before the Auggies would score the next six points to lead 9-15. The Spartans would battle to get it as close as 17-21 before the Auggies put it away 17-25. The Spartans would trail most of the second and third sets as they fell 19-25 in both.
Emma Powell led all attackers in the match with 12 kills. Powell finished with a .303 attacking percentage to lead the team.
Darby Hawtrey was second for the Spartans in kills with nine.
Maegan Brylski assisted on 16 of the 35 kills throughout the match. Aces were a big factor in the match as the Auggies had 11 service aces, whereas the Spartans were held to only two.
Katie Wright collected 17 digs to lead all.
Game 2 vs Hamline University
The Spartans would follow their first game loss by making a statement in the opening set as they would win the set by a final score of 25-8. The set margin of victory would be the biggest of the season so far. The Spartans finished the set attacking at a clip of .536 which would also be a season best for a set. The Spartans opened up the second set cruising out to a 13-4 lead before Hamline would get the match as close as 20-24 before an attack error by Hamline gave the Spartans the set win. Hamline would attack at their best in the third set to avoid the sweep and force a fourth set. The Spartans would play a close fourth set with Hamline before a Powell kill sent the Spartans home with the victory.
Powell again led all attackers with 17 kills and
Hailey Stich had a season-high 12 kills.
Kaylynn Murray assisted her attackers 27 times throughout the four set match. The Spartans finished attacking with a .240 percentage. The Spartans collected 13 service aces in the match.
Powell earned all-tournament team at the Norse Open.
Up Next
The Spartans will host A-R-C opponent, Luther College inside Stoltz Sports Center on Wednesday, September 28 at 6:00 p.m.
