McPherson, Kan. – Each set seemed to be more competitive than the last between the Bulldogs and Moundbuilders as both programs looked for a much-needed conference win. In the end, it was Southwestern College that was able to take the match, 3-1. The Lady 'Dogs move to 6-16 this season and 1-9 after the first round of KCAC play.
Errors, errors, errors were the downfall of McPherson in the first set of the match; the Bulldogs tallied 11 attacking errors, three setting errors, one receiving error, and one blocking error in the first set. And despite all of those free points for SWC, Mac still had a chance to take the set down the stretch. Unfortunately, after the score was tied at 23-23, the Builders took the final two points.
It was a true back-and-forth set in the second for the two clubs as they traded points nearly the entire way. After a 17-17 tie, Southwestern put together a couple mini-runs to take the set 25-20.
Mac fixed their error problems in the third set as they had just three attacking errors and hit .205. The Moundbuilders were not as lucky as they gave away 10 points and swung a negative percentage. The Bulldogs won the set 25-18.
The fourth was made up of runs as each team was able to string together points throughout the set. Trailing 17-9, McPherson pushed back and got within a few but could not overcome their deficit, losing 25-18.
Leading the killers for MC was Lexi Kite who had 13 on a team-high 48 swings; she also had five block assists and four service aces for a total of 19.5 points. Jessica Sanders played well in the middle, scoring 13.0 points with nine kills and eight block assists; her .318 hitting percentage led the Bulldogs.
It was an 18-18 tie between the two Mac setters, Rhianna Smith and Maci Schlehuber. The duo combined for 20 digs as well with Schlehuber leading with 11.
Emily Warner tabbed 26 digs for McPherson in the back row.
The Bulldogs will look to turn things around in the second round of conference which egins on Saturday in Lindborg, Kansas as they face Bethany College at 7:00 p.m. (CT)
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
