GREENVILLE, ILL. -- Excitement heated the Greenville gymnasium today as Principia (#4) fought Greenville (#1) to four games in the semi-finals of the post-season SLIAC tournament, losing 1-3 with the close scores of 21-25, 23-25, 25-17, and 24-26. Coming into today's semi-finals, Principia decided not to fill the role as the underdogs but to play to their strengths. Their five goals for the game were to love, embrace the moment, bounce positively from every lost point, play all out, and celebrate the game. In the end, after the last ball fell, Principia finished with the satisfaction that they fulfilled thier goals.
Greenville came out with big hits, but Principia battled them with fierce blocks and soulful defense. Throughout the match, Roxy Busch and Christine Nacewicz stumped Greenville's outside and middle hitter's power game with a huge block, each earning five double blocks and one solo block, forcing Greenville to tip more than they wanted. Principia's blocks combined with their movement on defense frustrated Greenville's offense. Ally Read, Tara Edwards, Natalie Davenport Kiersten Andersen and Isabelle Tetu hustled all over the back court to keep the ball flying. Isabelle Tetu led the defense with 22 digs, while also serving 100 percent.
On offense, Principia worked to eliminate unforced errors, succeeding in having their lowest hitting error percentage this season. Sarah Howard was unstoppable with 12 kills and only one error. Kiersten Andersen also had 12 kills and Christine Nacewicz had zero errors with seven vital kills.
Even though Principia lost the match, they played with all their heart. Senior captain, Isabelle Tetu comments, “I felt like we played as a unified team. We demonstrated more teamwork and soul than ever before. There were no regrets with this game. We ended this season and my college volleyball career on a high note.”
After the match, Principia stuck around for the championship match to watch Greenville shutdown Webster 3-0. In the SLIAC awards ceremony, Kiersten Andersen was awarded Second Team All Conference, Tara Edwards was awarded First Team All Conference, and Isabelle Tetu was named SLIAC All Tournament Team.
