Volleyball | 10/27/2009 12:00:00 AM
Box Score McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College volleyball team earned a much needed win against Ottawa University in four sets by the scores of 25-21, 24-26, 25-23, 25-19 at the McPherson Sport Center Monday night. The win moves McPherson into a fifth place tie with Ottawa University and Bethany College in the KCAC standings.
“The girls played hard and worked well together tonight,” said McPherson coach Susan Barton. “We are tied for fifth in the KCAC and the girls deserve it. It is crucial that we finish the conference strong.”
The win against the Braves is McPherson second win in a row, improving the Bulldogs record to 7-15 and 6-8 in KCAC action, while Ottawa drops to 11-15 and 6-8 in conference action.
McPherson was led by senior Jessica Arpin who finished with a season high 10 kills and a .364 hit percentage. Sophomore middle hitter Amy Neufeld hit .136 (7-4-22) with seven kills, a season high five solo blocks and six digs. Sophomore libero Brooke Wedel finished with 17 digs, while sophomore defensive specialist Savannah Sievers had ten digs and two service aces.
McPherson edged Ottawa hitting, .176 to .132, and had 39 kills to 35. The Bulldogs out blocked the Braves 12.0-to-7.0 on the night. The Braves finished the contest with 91 digs to McPherson’s 75, but the Bulldogs recorded 16 service aces to three for Ottawa.
In set one, McPherson ran out to a 8-3 lead after an Ottawa passing error. Ottawa slowly began to chip away, cutting the McPherson lead to 19-16 late in set one. The Bulldogs held Ottawa at bay, not letting the Braves get any closer than three before closing the door on set one, 25-21.
The Bulldogs struggled in set two, allowing the Braves to jump out to an early 17-12 lead. The two sides traded points until a Callie McCaffrey kill and Amy Neufeld service ace brought the game even at 24. Despite the McPherson run, Ottawa maintained their composure, winning the next two points to win set two 26-24.
The two sides remained deadlocked until late in set three as McPherson scored three straight points to take the set 25-23.
Using the momentum from the narrow set three win, the Bulldogs jumped out in set for to a 12-9 lead, but Ottawa once again did not go away. The Braves cut the margin to one, 19-18 on a McPherson service error. However, Amy Neufeld and Callie McCaffrey once again came through for the Bulldogs teaming up to score four of McPherson’s last six points to win set four and the match.
Ottawa was led by Brittany Bush who collected 10 kills, four digs and two blocks.
McPherson returns to action Wednesday when they travel to the University of Saint Mary. The match is set to begin at 7:00 p.m.
