GREENCASTLE, Ind. - Westminster volleyball tallied a win at the Depauw Tournament with a 3-1 victory over Whitman, the team's first match of the day.
In the first set, the Blue Jays came out swinging, getting off to a quick 10-1 lead on kills from four different Westminster players. Westminster kept up the attack, increasing the lead to 16-2 on a kill from Natalie Needy.
Whitman scored five straight points to make an attempt at a comeback, but Westminster answered with a 5-1 run to take the win, 25-15.
Whitman started the second set with three consecutive points, but came back to tie the game at six points apiece. After trading points, Whitman finally their largest lead since the opening points at 19-16, but the Blue Jays recovered quickly on kills from Allie Kennebeck and Ashley Kistaitis, taking the lead back at 20-19. Whitman responded with six points to Westminster's two, including four straight points to finish the set and tie the match at one set win each.
Westminster opened the third set with five straight points and held the lead the rest of the set, leading by as many as 22-10 late in the set. Whitman scored five straight points to make a small run, but attack errors from Whitman closed the set with a 25-16 Westminster win.
Westminster took its biggest win in the fourth set to take the match, winning 25-14.
Kistaitis recorded a double-double on the day, leading the team with 15 kills and adding 12 digs. Teresa Becker added 36 assists and Erica Schrader added 16 digs.
In the second game of the day, the Blue Jays took a 3-1 loss to Aurora. After taking the first set 25-21, the Blue Jays struggled to score in the final three sets, sweeping the Blue Jays in the final three.
Kistaitis recorded another double-double, with 15 kills and 14 digs. Becker again led the way in assists with 25, along with Schrader backing the defense with 17 digs.
Kistaitis was named to the All-Tournament team for her performance over all three games.
Westminster stays on the road, traveling to Iowa Wesleyan for a quad tournament, opening up conference play against Eureka and MacMurray.
