Box Score STORM LAKE, Iowa – After struggling in the first set, the Grinnell College volleyball team raced back into contention quickly in Tuesday night's battle at Buena Vista University.
 
The Pioneers tied things with a second-set victory before the hosts eked out wins in the third and fourth sets to take the match. Scores, in favor of the Beavers, were 25-12, 21-25, 25-21, 25-23.
 
Olivia Jensen '21, the Midwest Conference Offensive Performer of the Week, lived up to that billing again Tuesday as she pounded down 22 kills and hit .380. Emma Willhardt '19 added nine kills, while Margaret Giles '18 dished out 32 assists.
 
Kaylin Kuhn '21 was one of four players with double-digit digs, tallying 18. Deanna Taylor '18 added 15, Madison Smith '20 tallied 14 and Sydney Vrecenar '18 contributed 12.
 
Willhardt also had two solo blocks for the Pioneers, who are 4-3. Buena Vista improved to 5-3.
 
After losing the first set, the Pioneers came out on fire in the second by scoring the first five points, four of those on Smith's serve. Buena Vista came back to force a 16-all tie before Grinnell had a key three-point run, with Jensen delivering two kills as Grinnell went up to stay. Willhardt's kill sealed the win.
 
The third set was tight the entire way. Trailing by five points late, the Pioneers made things interesting with a run of three straight Jensen kills to bring the Pioneers within 23-21. However, Buena Vista scored two points to earn the win.
 
The fourth set was also close throughout. Grinnell built a 22-19 lead on a kill by Jensen before the Beavers scored three in a row. The teams traded points after that before Buena Vista secured a two-point win.
 
The Pioneers travel to Jacksonville, Ill., this weekend for the Illinois College Tournament.