Volleyball Drops Pair in Wisconsin on Saturday

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill (09/08/2024) — The Monmouth College volleyball team lost a pair of close matches on Sunday at the Wisconsin Lutheran Quadrangular in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Scots started the day with a 25-20, 15-25, 25-16, 21-25, 15-11 loss to Dubuque before falling 25-23, 25-20, 25-16 to Wheaton.

The first set against Dubuque featured six ties and three lead changes before the Spartans pulled away late. Monmouth responded by taking command of the second set early and the teams traded sets again to be even at four. The second, third and fourth sets only saw three total lead changes. The fifth set had three ties and two lead changes. Monmouth pulled within one at 11-10 but Dubuque pulled away late.

Kaylee Celus (Annawan, Illinois) led the way with 14 kills while Layne Wright (Davenport, Iowa) had 10, Tyla Mattson (Morton, Illinois) had 21 assists while Savannah Robinson (Delavan, Illinois) led the Scots with 22 digs. Wright had seven of Monmouth's 13 aces and Paige Foltz (Vinton, Iowa) had 3.5 of Monmouth's nine blocks, including one solo block.

The first set against Wheaton was back and forth early with eight ties and three lead changes. Monmouth led 20-18 but couldn't hold on to win the set. Wheaton pulled away over the final two sets to secure the sweep.

Celus again led the team in kills with 12 while Wright had nine. Mattson had 14 assists, one more than Paige Bergschneider (Alexander, Illinois). Robinson had 10 digs and Wright led the way with two aces.

The home opener is Friday, Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. against Westminster as part of the Monmouth College Invitational. The Scots will also play two home matches on Saturday with a Noon match against MSOE and a 6 p.m. showdown with Knox.