WPU Sweeps Culver-Stockton in First Annual Graveyard Game

Oskaloosa--The Statesmen women's volleyball team started a new tradition with a win as it swept Culver-Stockton 3-0 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play Friday.

William Penn (11-10, 5-3 Heart) won the first annual Graveyard Game by scores of 25-12, 25-19, 25-17.  The hosts hit .233, while holding the Wildcats into the red at -.030.

The hosts were on fire to open the night, scoring six points in a row.  They were never threatened as two more lengthy runs gave the navy and gold their most-lopsided victory of the match.

C-SC (3-14, 0-7 Heart) came out much stronger in the second round as WPU fell behind 9-4.  The Statesmen answered with five in a row and then with the score tied at 15-15, kills by Riley Hungate (So., Joliet, Ill., Business Management) and Jade Melton (Sr., Hallsville, Mo., Psychology) put the home crew on top for good.  A 4-0 run later in the set allowed the hosts to pull away for a commanding 2-0 edge.

William Penn lost the initial point of the third set, but bounced back with four unanswered, paced by a pair of winning hits from Mariah Radmacher (Sr., Jefferson City, Mo., Nursing).  The two sides played fairly even over the next handful of points with WPU still ahead 11-9.  The Statesmen would not be denied the sweep, however, as they won 10 of the next 11 points and cruised out.

Alyssa Young (Sr., Winter Springs, Fla., Exercise Science) was a force all match, posting a team-high 10 kills on a .471 attack clip.  The senior also notched seven block assists.

Alyvia Johnson (Jr., Owatonna, Minn., Business Management) narrowly missed double figures as well as she finished with nine kills.  Andressa Borges (Jr., Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sports Management) also contributed four kills along with four block assists.

Mia Brady (So., Pontiac, Ill., Exercise Science) produced a double-double Friday, recording 17 assists and 12 digs, while also serving up three aces.

Chyanne Bradford (So., Rowlett, Texas, Secondary Education) assisted on 12 Statesmen kills as well in the victory.

"It is a great feeling sweeping the first annual Graveyard Game; what an awesome way to start this tradition!" Head Coach Lauren Eldridge said.  "It was a fun night of volleyball and it felt good to get the job done in three sets.  We were firing on all cylinders which will help fuel us going into tomorrow's match.  We could not have had a better first Graveyard Game!"

Next Up: William Penn remains in Oskaloosa Saturday to host Benedictine in Heart play at 1 p.m.