GRINNELL, Iowa – After being swept in Saturday's opening match, the Grinnell College volleyball team bounced back in impressive fashion at its own tournament.
 
The Pioneers finished the tourney with a 3-1 mark, winding up Saturday's action with a four-set victory over Macalester College at Darby Gymnasium. Set scores, in favor of the hosts, were 25-22, 26-24, 21-25 and 25-19.
 
Grinnell served up nine aces in the match and got double-digit kill performances by Leticia Machado '29 and All-Tournament Team selection Hayley Taka '26 with 17 and 13, respectively. Kylie-Ann Smith '27 added 39 assists and served four aces. In the digs department, Machado had 13, Gabby Choy '26 contributed 12 and Smith added 10.
 
A four-point service run by Kinsey Carrigan '29 in the opening set was critical for Grinnell to gain control. Later, ahead 24-22, All-Tournament Team selection Kylie Snell '26 smashed down a kill for the victory.
 
The Pioneers used some magic in the second set, rallying from a 23-20 deficit. Taka and Machado each had kills during a four-point run as Grinnell went ahead 24-23. After the visitors scored, a ball handling error on Macalester and block by Snell provided the victory.
 
After losing the third set, Grinnell trailed the fourth 14-12 before a four-point spurt that included two kills by Mahado. Grinnell continued to roll from there, securing the match on a Macalester service error.
 
Earlier in the day, the University of Dubuque swept the Pioneers 25-14, 25-16 and 25-20. Millie Leonard '27 led Grinnell at the net with eight kills, while Marlowe Hurst '28 and Smith had 12 and 10 assists, respectively. Hurst also posted three aces and Leonard added eight digs.
 
Grinnell is off until next weekend when it plays at the Augsburg Augie Invite.