Alicia vs  KWU
Micah Gilbert
2
York (Neb.) YORK 5-26
3
Winner McPherson (Kan.) MCPH 16-11
York (Neb.) YORK
5-26
2
Final
3
McPherson (Kan.) MCPH
16-11
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
York (Neb.) YORK 25 13 20 25 9 (2)
McPherson (Kan.) MCPH 19 25 25 22 15 (3)
3
Winner McPherson (Kan.) MCPH 17-11, 7-5
0
Kansas Wesleyan KWU 15-18, 8-4
Winner
McPherson (Kan.) MCPH
17-11, 7-5
3
Final
0
Kansas Wesleyan KWU
15-18, 8-4
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
McPherson (Kan.) MCPH 27 25 26 (3)
Kansas Wesleyan KWU 25 23 24 (0)

Next Match:

vs. University of Saint Mary (Kan.)

11/16/2019 | 11:00 AM

Next Match

Full Schedule
Nov. 16 (Sat) / 11:00 AM
vs. University of Saint Mary (Kan.)
History

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Bulldogs 2-0 on Day 1 of the KCAC Tournament

Photo by Micah Gilbert

Hutchinson, Kan. – The McPherson College volleyball team kicked off their quest for a return trip to the NAIA National Tournament with a pair of victories on Friday in the KCAC Conference Tournament.

The Bulldogs opened up play as the 5th seed, taking on the 12th seeded York College Panthers in the round of 16. They needed five sets to defeat the Panthers, winning 19-25, 25-13, 25-20, 22-25, 15-9. The Bulldogs got off to a slow start, dropping the opening set, but rallied to dominate sets two and three. In the fourth set some sloppy play late, and what was perceived as a missed call by the officiating staff, derailed the Bulldogs setting up a decisive 5th set.

The Bulldogs are no strangers to five set matches, coming into the tournament at 3-4 in matches that have gone the distance. After the Panthers seized the momentum in the 4th set, the Bulldogs composed themselves and handled their business in the 5th.

Offensively, the Mac ladies didn't swing all that well. They hit .166 as a team with 64 kills on 217 total attempts, but had 28 errors. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, their counterparts across the net were just a bit worse, with a hitting percentage of .155 from 56 kills on 193 swings and 26 errors.

Statistical Leaders:

Kills: Riley Bradbury (Jr. Castle Rock, Colo.) and Sydney Burton (Jr. Stillwell, Kan.) – 14
Aces: Kaitlyn Heinis (Sr. Oviedo, Fla.) – 2
Blocks: Burton – 5
Digs: Jamie Siess (Sr. Topeka, Kan.) – 27
Assists: Heinis – 30

In the quarterfinal match, the Bulldogs squared off once again against their former coach and the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes. The Coyotes played well in the final weeks of the regular season, and leapfrogged the Bulldogs in the conference standings to secure the 4th seed and an opening round bye. The Bulldogs and Coyotes met back in mid-October in McPherson, on Homecoming, with Mac winning a five set thriller.

On Friday, the Bulldogs played a nearly flawless match, needing just three sets to secure a berth into the semifinals on Saturday. All three sets were extremely competitive, but the Bulldogs were able to prevail 27-25, 25-23, 26-24. In set three, Alexandra Parish (So. Rogers, Ark.) rotated off, and Coach Cahill told her that the Coyotes were blocking her up the middle on her attacks nearly every time. He encouraged her to try and tip around the block instead of hitting through it. That advice paid off, because on the Bulldogs' second match point at 25-24, Heinis quick set Parish in the middle, and she tipped the ball softly to the right of the block and the Coyotes were unable to dig it up.

The Bulldogs were very efficient in their passing off of serve receive allowing the offense to stay in system and get into a good rhythm. They finished the match with 54 kills on 154 attempts with 17 errors for a .214 hitting percentage.

"Today was a great day for Bulldog Volleyball!" said Cahill. "We battled through a tough first match and were really challenged by a quality York Team. In the second match of the day we battled point for point with a talented KWU team and came out on top in a tight match. It was a great feeling and we hope to carry this momentum into tomorrow's semifinal!"

Statistical Leaders:

Kills: Bradbury – 13
Aces: Heinis, Siess, Morgan Abbott (Jr. Decatur, Texas) – 1
Blocks: Burton, Parish – 2
Digs: Siess – 24
Assists: Heinis – 26

Now at 17-11 on the year, the Bulldogs are just two matches away from conference championship and a bid to the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament. They will be back in action on Saturday morning at 11:00 against the top seeded University of St. Mary Spires. The Spires won the regular season matchup, on their home floor, in five sets just a couple of weeks ago. Win and they advance to the championship game at 6 p.m.
 
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Players Mentioned

Riley Bradbury

#18 Riley Bradbury

OH
5' 6"
Junior
Psychology
Kaitlyn Heinis

#13 Kaitlyn Heinis

S
5' 3"
Senior
Psychology
Alexandra Parish

#23 Alexandra Parish

MB
6' 0"
Sophomore
Interdisciplinary
Jamie Siess

#5 Jamie Siess

DS/L
5' 7"
Senior
Accounting / Finance
Morgan Abbott

#17 Morgan Abbott

S
5' 8"
Junior
Environmental Studies
Sydney Burton

#11 Sydney Burton

MB
6' 0"
Junior
Biochemistry

Players Mentioned

Riley Bradbury

#18 Riley Bradbury

5' 6"
Junior
Psychology
OH
Kaitlyn Heinis

#13 Kaitlyn Heinis

5' 3"
Senior
Psychology
S
Alexandra Parish

#23 Alexandra Parish

6' 0"
Sophomore
Interdisciplinary
MB
Jamie Siess

#5 Jamie Siess

5' 7"
Senior
Accounting / Finance
DS/L
Morgan Abbott

#17 Morgan Abbott

5' 8"
Junior
Environmental Studies
S
Sydney Burton

#11 Sydney Burton

6' 0"
Junior
Biochemistry
MB