Volleyball | 10/26/2011 10:00:00 PM
Box Score Box Score
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College volleyball team closed out its home portion of the 2011 regular season schedule with a 3-1 (27-25, 26-24, 23-25, 25-20) win over Bethel College Wednesday night at the McPherson Sport Center.
The victory improves McPherson to 10-15 overall and 7-8 in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference play, while the Threshers fall to 13-12 overall and 10-5 in the league.
Prior to the match, the Bulldogs honored five seniors including setter
Brelynn Schloo (Salina, Kan.), middle hitter
Amy Neufeld (Hillsboro, Kan.), middle hitter
Kory Hiebert (Goessel, Kan.), libero
Brooke Wedel (Moundridge, Kan.) and student assistant coach Cody Compton for their service to the program.
Neufeld led MC on the night with a career-high 17 kills on 37 attacks, while Hiebert added 15 kills and junior outside hitter
Natalie Boss (Waterville, Kan.) chipped in 11 in the effort. Junior setter
Hannah Hoffman (Bendena, Kan.) accumulated 27 assists, while Schloo posted a double-double with 20 assists and 11 digs. Wedel led the team with 22 digs, as the Bulldogs also had 13 team blocks.
The Bulldogs and Threshers battled back and forth for a majority of the first set before McPherson pushed to a 20-17 lead on a kill from freshman outside hitter
Tori Phelan (Rangely, Colo.). However, a service error and two attacking errors on the Bulldogs knotted the score 24-24 late in the frame. McPherson would regain its composure and eventually take the set 27-25 on back-to-back kills from Hiebert and Boss.
McPherson trailed for a majority of set two before a run of three straight tied the score at 23-23. After giving Bethel an opportunity at match point following a service error, McPherson posted three straight kills, including the game winner from sophomore middle hitter
Emily Girard (Osborne, Kan.) that blasted off the Bethel block an into the crowd.
Despite the momentum of a 2-0 lead, the Bulldogs stumbled out of the gate in set three as the Threshers jumped out to the early 5-0 advantage. The margin would prove too much for MC with Bethel taking the frame 25-23.
The Bulldogs pushed ahead in the fourth set, taking an early 12-7 lead on an attack error by the Threshers. Bethel tied the set at 15, but McPherson answered with four straight to take a 19-15 lead. The Threshers would come as close as two points, as the Bulldogs closed out the set and the match 25-20.
Lindsey Chandler and Jordan Gray led BC with 13 kills each, while Amber Blount dished out a team-high 23 assists.
The Bulldogs return to action on Friday, Oct. 28 when they travel to Ottawa University. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. (CST) inside Wilson Field House.
