Fulton, Mo. – The nations 10th ranked team was back in action tonight in Historic Gym. The Blue Jays welcomed the Fontbonne University Griffins to town for an important SLIAC contest. The Blue Jays were up to the challenge and were able to take down the Griffins in four sets (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 27-25).
In the first set, with the score tied 12-12, the Blue Jays would score five straight points to take control 17-12. A kill by Natalie Needy and two kills by Eryka Wnyonyi keyed the run. After trading points a couple of Haley Menke kills along with a Fontbonne attack error would close out the first set in Westminster's favor 25-18.
The second set would take a turn Fontbonne's way. Midway through the set the Griffins would use a 5-1 run to take a 16-12 lead. The Blue Jays battled back from a 21-16 deficit using two kills from Needy, one kill from Wanyonyi and a Menke Service ace to tie the game at 21 all. Eventually a couple of errors would see to it that Fontbonne would prevail 25-23 and tie the match 1-1.
The third set would see the Blue Jays record their best hitting set of the night hitting .314 with 12 kills and only one error. With Fontbonne holding a couple point lead most of the set thanks to hitting their high of .294 in the set, Westminster would use kills by Menke and Needy along with a couple Griffin errors helped the Blue Jays take a 23-21 lead late. A Menke kill would end the set 25-22 in favor of the Blue Jays and a 2-1 Westminster lead in the match.
The fourth set would see Fontbonne continue to put up a fight. The Griffins and Blue Jays would go back and forth with neither team having a lead of more than two points. There were 18 ties in the set and 15 lead changes. Westminster trailed 22-21 when a Menke kill pulled the Blue Jays even with Fontbonne 22-22 a Fontbonne attack error would give the Jays a 23-22 lead. Westminster would go on to win a few points later 27-25 ending the set and the match 3-1. Westminster improved to 8-0 and 8-0 in the SLIAC, meanwhile Fontbonne falls to 3-5 and 3-5 in SLIAC play.
Eryka Wanyonyi led the Westminster attack with 16 kills and recording 10 digs for a double-double. Following her, Natalie Needy was next with 13 kills and a game high two solo blocks to go along with 5 block assists. Menke rounded out the group with 10 kills and 10 digs for her own double-double.
Erica Schrader would once again lead the defense with 17 digs. Gretchen Durbala would follow with 16 digs to go along with her 42 assists to record a double-double. Allie Kennebeck was next with 15 digs.
The Blue Jays will be in action next on Sunday afternoon in St. Louis, Mo. as they travel to take on the 22nd ranked Webster University Gorlocks. First service is set for 1:00 p.m.
