GRINNELL, Iowa – Facing the biggest test of the season in terms of remaining in Midwest Conference Tournament contention, the Grinnell College volleyball team passed with flying colors.
Grinnell swept past Illinois College, a team that had lost only five times all year, by scores of 25-23, 25-22 and 25-19 Saturday afternoon at Darby Gymnasium. The win pushed Grinnell to a 5-1 mark in MWC play, the first time since 1998 the Pioneers have done that.
More importantly, the 14-12 Pioneers got a much-needed win in an attempt to earn a repeat trip to the league tourney.
Emma Willhardt '19 celebrated Senior Day with 10 kills and a blistering .381 hitting efficiency. She also had four total blocks while upping her career totals to 94 solos and 231 total, which rank fourth and eighth in program history, respectively.
Kaylin Kuhn '21 had eight kills and a match-high 14 digs, while
Payton Lowrey '22 contributed 11 digs and two aces.
Julianna Roth '22 dished out 29 assists and had two aces.
The win completed a weekend shutout sweep for the Pioneers, who also blanked Monmouth College in three sets Friday night. Grinnell trailed early in the first set but caught up, keeping the match close. After being in a 20-all tie, Lowrey had a kill and
Madison Smith '20 an ace to put the Pioneers up by two.
Illinois College, 4-3 in the MWC and 15-6 overall, cut the gap to one twice, but Willhardt finished the set with a kill. Grinnell had to play catch-up in the second set after falling behind 5-0. The Pioneers gradually rallied, eventually tying it at 20-all on Lowrey's ace serve.
Later, trailing 22-21, Kuhn had a kill and combined with
Sophia Carbajal '21 for a block to put Grinnell up by a point. An attack error by the Lady Blues and ace by Roth finished off the win.
Grinnell used a run midway through the third set to go up 16-12. Illinois College got as close as three a few times, including 22-19. But the Lady Blues had an attack error. Lowrey registered a kill and the Lady Blues another attack error to seal the win for Grinnell.
The Pioneers head to Mount Vernon Wednesday for a tough test against league-leader Cornell College. Action begins at 7 p.m.
