Statesmen Finish with Three Wins at Home Tournament

Oskaloosa--After starting the season with seven games on the road, the William Penn women's volleyball team had its first home court action and made the most of it, as it came away with three wins in four games at the William Penn Labor Day Tournament Friday and Saturday.

William Penn (9-2) started its home tournament play on Friday with a 3-2 victory over Briar Cliff (16-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 15-9), followed by another 3-2 win against Dordt (25-20, 21-25, 25-21, 16-25, 15-13).

On Saturday, the Statesmen continued to see success, picking up a 3-1 victory over Mount Marty (25-14, 15-25, 25-21, 29-27).  Unfortunately, their only loss of the weekend came at the hands of an undefeated Waldorf team in the weekend finale, falling 3-2 (25-19, 16-25, 25-15, 16-25, 10-15).

WPU 3, Briar Cliff 2

The Statesmen capped off their home opener by outhitting Briar Cliff .211-.129. The standout set came in the most important one as WPU outhit Briar Cliff .375-.000 in the fifth.

The navy and gold had two players record double-doubles, including Maju Vieira (Jr., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) tallying 17 kills and 10 digs, while Abigail Mitchell (Jr., Oxford, Ala., Nursing) added 12 kills and 11 digs.  Mitchell also had a .303 hitting percentage.

Hailee Pesek (So., New Hampton, Iowa, Nursing) contributed 12 kills, while Alix Robinson (Fr., Pontiac, Ill., Political Science and History) added eight.

Kaya Caprini (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn., Psychology and Human Services) led the team defensively with 27 digs, while Mia Brady (Sr., Pontiac, Ill., Exercise Science) guided the offense with 31 assists and three aces.

WPU 3, Dordt 2

Despite being outhit .145-.142 William Penn concluded Friday with a gritty 3-2 win over the Defenders.

Vieira powered the offense in Friday's nightcap with 11 kills and a match-high six aces, with Pesek following by contributing 10 kills.

Brady recorded a double-double in the contest, finishing with 16 digs and 22 assists.

Caprini headed the back row with 21 digs, while Brady added 12, and Mitchell chipped in 11.

Courtney McWilliams (Fr., Rockton, Ill., Nursing) had an all-around effort with 16 assists, eight digs, and three aces.

WPU 3, Mount Marty 1

Mitchell turned in a double-double against the Lancers with 12 kills and 10 digs.

Robinson reached double figures with 11 kills, while Pesek and Khiani Jackson (Sr., St. Joseph, Mo., Psychology) added 10 apiece.

Vieira came just shy of a double-double, finishing with nine kills and nine digs to go along with three aces.

On the defensive end, Mitchell and McWilliams each tallied 10 digs, with Brady and Maddy Gustafson (So., Marion, Iowa, Psychology and Human Services) contributing nine apiece.

Waldorf 3, WPU 2

Pesek led the Statesmen attack with 10 kills, with Vieira and Robinson close behind at nine apiece.

Defensively, Caprini set the pace for the Statesmen with 21 digs, while Brady recorded 12.

The Statesmen showcased depth at the service line with Mitchell, Caprini, and McWilliams all finishing with three aces apiece.

"This was a great weekend at home with lots of volleyball played," said Head Coach Lauren Eldridge.  "It is great to go 3-1 on the weekend, showing true grit and teamwork.  We need to clean a few things up to win games in three sets, but we showed a lot of great things on the court and on the bench with our energy."

Up Next:  The Statesmen open Heart of America Athletic Conference play on Wednesday in Oskaloosa by hosting Culver-Stockton at 7 p.m.