JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Friday's wins by the Grinnell College volleyball team were not just ordinary victories.
The sweeps of Robert Morris College and Principia College at the Illinois College Tournament lifted the Pioneers to 6-3, their best start to a season since 1999.
Additionally, the 25-7, 25-9, 25-5 victory over Robert Morris saw
Sydney Vrecenar '18 serve up a whopping nine aces, just one shy of the school record. As a team, Grinnell had 18 aces which ranks among best in the program's history.
Kaylin Kuhn '21 pounded down eight kills and
Sophia Carbajal '21 tied her career best with six.
Margaret Giles '18 distributed 20 assists, while Kuhn and
Deanna Taylor '18 had career bests of three aces apiece.
Sonia Chulaki '19 led the team in digs with six, a career high for her.
In Grinnell's other match, the Pioneers defeated Principia by scores of 25-19, 28-26, 25-22.
Olivia Jensen '21, the Midwest Conference Offensive Performer of the Week, crushed 14 kills and
Emma Willhardt '19 had 10. Giles added 40 assists, Vrecenar served up three aces and Kuhn and Jensen had two aces apiece.
Five Pioneers had double-digit digs, led by Taylor's career-high 28. Giles added 19 digs, Kuhn came up with 16,
Madison Smith '20 tallied 13 and Vrecenar had 10.
The Pioneers take on Olivet Nazarene University and Lincoln Christian University on Saturday.
