10/6/24 Fulton, MO - The Westminster Blue Jays took part in a tri-match hosted by Greenville University, facing off against both the host Panthers and Blackburn College. The day featured a hard-fought loss against Greenville followed by a dominant win over Blackburn, allowing Westminster to stay competitive in the SLIAC standings.
In the first match of the day, Westminster took on a tough Greenville team. Despite pushing the Panthers, Westminster fell in four sets: 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, and 15-25. Kylie Hasselbacher and Meghan Nolte led the offensive charge for the Blue Jays, with Hasselbacher racking up 15 kills and Nolte adding 14 at an impressive .522 hitting percentage. Setter Emma Behrmann kept the offense moving with 21 assists, while defensive standout Haylie Schnake contributed 15 digs. The Blue Jays managed to take the third set, 25-23, showcasing their resilience, but ultimately the host Panthers closed the match in four. Greenville's powerful attacks and consistency on the net proved to be key as they handed Westminster its first conference loss of the season.
In their second match, the Blue Jays took on Blackburn College, securing a straightforward win in three sets: 25-15, 25-14, and 25-16. Westminster improved to 10-12 overall and 6-1 in SLIAC play with this victory. Nolte continued her standout play with 15 kills, hitting an impressive .652 without an error. Brooke Kiel also made her presence felt, tallying 10 kills with a .563 hitting percentage. Behrmann added 15 assists, while Caitlyn Wheadon and Madisyn Ellis each contributed with service aces. On the defensive side, Schnake once again led with 15 digs, while Nolte made 11 digs. The Blue Jays executed their game plan effectively, dominating from start to finish against the Beavers.
Westminster's split on the day keeps them well-positioned in the conference standings. The Blue Jays will look to continue their momentum in their next matchup against Washington University on October 9, a non-conference game that promises a tough challenge.
