11/17/24 Fulton, MO - The Westminster women's volleyball team's 2024 season ended in the semifinals of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Tournament. Despite a valiant effort, the Blue Jays fell to Fontbonne University in a thrilling five-set match, with set scores of 20-25, 25-22, 25-14, 12-25, and 10-15. The Blue Jays conclude their campaign with an 18-16 overall record and a 13-4 mark in SLIAC play.
Westminster displayed moments of brilliance throughout the match, particularly in the second and third sets, where they rallied with a strong offensive showing. Katelynn Jackson led the attack, tallying a match-high 18 kills with a .227 hitting percentage. She was supported by Meghan Nolte, who registered 11 kills on an impressive .333 hitting percentage, and Kylie Hasselbacher, who added 11 kills and a block assist.
Defensively, libero Haylie Schnake anchored the back row with a game-high 23 digs, while also contributing a service ace. Setter Emma Behrmann dished out 21 assists, and fellow setter Liv Hart added 22 assists, showcasing the team's balance in distributing the ball. Brooke Kiel was a force at the net with four total blocks, helping Westminster disrupt Fontbonne's attack during key moments. Westminster's highlight came in the third set, where they surged to a 25-14 victory behind a flurry of kills and exceptional defensive play. However, Fontbonne rebounded with a dominant fourth set and held off a late Westminster rally in the decisive fifth frame to secure the win. After the tournament concluded, it was announced that Katelynn Jackson made the SLIAC All-Tournament team.
While the loss marks the end of the season, the Blue Jays have much to celebrate, including a successful conference run and several standout individual performances. Westminster's younger players gained valuable postseason experience, providing optimism for the future. The Blue Jays will now shift their focus to offseason preparation, aiming to build on this year's successes and come back stronger next season.
