APPLETON, Wis. – Facing a critical test to remain in the hunt for the Midwest Conference Tournament, the Grinnell College volleyball team passed with flying colors.
The Pioneers disposed of Lawrence University in four sets Friday night to improve to 4-3 in league play and 15-7 overall. The host Vikings fell to 5-3 in the MWC and 10-14. Set scores, in favor of Grinnell, were 13-25, 25-19, 25-21 and 25-22.
Grinnell's overall win total is the highest for the program since 2002, and All-MWC performer
Margaret Giles '18 upped her season assist total to 719, 10th-best in program history.
Kaylin Kuhn '21 had a huge night at the net, delivering 21 kills while hitting .366.
Olivia Jensen '21 and
Emma Willhardt '19 added eight and seven kills, respectively.
Giles tallied 41 assists and led the team in digs with 18.
Deanna Taylor '18 added 15 digs and
Sydney Vrecenar '18 recorded 12. Jensen reeled off four of the Pioneers' 12 ace serves.
Grinnell was within 8-6 in the first set before Lawrence pulled away. The Vikings built a 9-4 lead in the second set before the Pioneers rallied and eventually tied the contest at 14-all on Vrecenar's serve. The Pioneers continued to cruise, scoring six of the next seven points to pull away. Vrecenar had an ace in that span and Kuhn two kills.
The Pioneers shot out to a 10-4 lead in the third set, with Kuhn posting a four-point service run that included two aces.
Lawrence rallied and forced a pair of ties, the last at 19-all, before Grinnell scored two points in a row including an ace by
Madison Smith '20. Grinnell never trailed again.
The fourth set was more of the same, with the Pioneers going up 10-4 before Lawrence chipped away and forced a few ties, the last at 21-all.
Then Grinnell went to work. Jensen had a kill, Vrecenar an ace and Kuhn a kill to put the Pioneers one point away from victory. After Lawrence scored, Giles notched a kill to secure the match victory.
The Pioneers have another big MWC contest Saturday, playing St. Norbert College at De Pere, Wis. Match time is 1 p.m.
