Denver, Colo. – A slow start was something that McPherson volleyball had to deal with all weekend at the Johnson & Wales University Tournament. The Lady 'Dogs battled in each match but had a difficult time overcoming their deficits, losing all four matches.
Game 1 – 3-2 loss to Dakota Wesleyan University
The opening match of the tournament was a battle for the entire five sets. Mac got down early, losing the first two sets 25-18 and 26-24, respectively. The 'Dogs battled back and took the next two 25-21 and 25-18. In the fifth, Mac started strong but a late push by DWU ended the match at 15-13 in favor of the Tigers.
Transfer Jocelyn Cochran led Mac in kills with 13 and was followed by Taryn Lee; Lee also had four total blocks in the match. Rhianna Smith and Maci Schlehuber each had a solid match setting the ball; Smith logged 23 assists while Schlehuber totaled 21. Emily Warner racked up 32 digs in the five setter.
Game 2 – 3-2 loss to Johnson & Wales University
Game two of the day was just as, if not more, strenuous for the Bulldogs. They had another slow start and dropped the first match 25-18. In the second, Mac had a late surge that pushed the game into extras but fell 27-25. Again with their backs against the wall, the resilient MC squad found a way to win the third set 26-24 and then the high-scoring 30-28 fourth set. The home team Wildcats were not to be denied on their own court and took the match after a 15-8 fifth set victory.
Freshman Lexi Kite had her best match of the weekend with her 11 kills and four aces. Lee led in kills with 12 while Cochran also hit double-digits with her 10. Smith posted 19 assists while Schlehuber tabbed 15. Warner upped her dig total with 36, putting her at 68 for the day.
Game 3 – 3-0 loss to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
The second day of the JWU Tournament did not go as planned. Worn down from the previous day's five sets, the Lady 'Dogs had a tough time getting the necessary runs to contend in the opening set, losing 25-14. The team bounced back and fought in the second but lost 25-23. The third went into overtime but Mac didn't get the right bounces, falling 27-25.
McPherson had a tough time putting the ball away as they totaled just 27 kills. Lee and Cochran each had seven and Lee added in four blocks. Smith was the lone setter to hit the 10+ mark in assists with her 14. Warner had 12 digs in the quick match.
Game 4 – 3-0 loss to Johnson & Wales University
It was another quick three-set contest for the Lady Bulldogs in their final match of the tourney. The Tigers stopped each MC run in its tracks, taking the three sets without letting McPherson score higher than 17 in a single set.
Lee and Kite combined for 19 of the team's 33 kills; Lee had 10. Smith recorded 13 assists while Schlehuber had 11. Warner once again was the lone 'Dog to hit double figures with her 15 digs.
Mac will take dive deep into conference play in the coming weeks. The Bulldogs will host KCAC newcomer Oklahoma Wesleyan University on September 16th 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
