9/8/2024 Fulton, MO- The Westminster women's volleyball team faced a challenging weekend in Ohio, competing against four teams over two days. Despite their efforts, the Blue Jays were unable to secure a victory, finishing the tournament 0-4.
Game One vs. Bethany College (W.V):
In their match against Bethany (W.V.), Westminster showed promising moments but ultimately fell short. The Blue Jays won the first two sets 25-21 and 25-18, but the momentum shifted as Bethany rallied to win the next three sets 25-18, 25-22, and 15-10, securing a 3-2 victory over Westminster.
Key performances came from Kylie Hasselbacher and Katelynn Jackson, who led the Blue Jays with 17 and 15 kills, respectively. Haylie Schnake anchored the defense with 23 digs, while Madisyn Ellis added 18 digs, showcasing strong individual efforts despite the team's overall result.
Game Two vs. Otterbein University:
In their second game of the weekend, Westminster faced Otterbein, a team that proved too formidable. Otterbein dominated the match, winning in straight sets with scores of 25-19, 25-18, and 25-16. The Blue Jays struggled to gain momentum and were unable to counter Otterbein's strong offensive and defensive play, resulting in a 3-0 loss.
Game Three vs. Capital University:
In their third game of the tournament, Westminster faced Capital and fell in straight sets. Despite a competitive effort, the Blue Jays were defeated with scores of 25-15, 25-17, and 25-23. Westminster showed some improvement, especially in the final set, but could not overcome Capital's consistent performance.
Notable performances in the match included Schnake, who led the defense with 16 digs, and Ellis, who contributed significantly with 10 kills and 11 digs. Their efforts were crucial in keeping the Blue Jays competitive, especially in the contested third set.
Game Four vs. Franklin College:
In their final match of the tournament, Westminster faced Franklin, battling through five sets in a close game. The Blue Jays won the first set 25-23 but fell in the subsequent sets, with Franklin ultimately securing the victory 3-2. Despite the loss, the Blue Jays showed resilience, pushing the match to five sets before Franklin claimed the final set 15-13.
Meghan Nolte led the Blue Jays with 14 kills, while Schnake anchored the defense with 28 digs. Ellis added 18 digs to support the team's performance in the intense five-set match.
The Blue Jays will be back in action at William Woods University on Tuesday, September 10th, with a 7:00 PM start time.
