ELSAH, ILL.—Today the Gold and Blue had an exciting day of volleyball, beating Spalding University, 3-2, and Blackburn College, 3-0. Today's match against Spalding marks Principia's first victory against Spalding since Spalding entered into SLIAC from Division II volleyball in 2009.
Principia came out strong and ready to play Spalding with a kill and two aces by
Summer Switzer, but lost set one and two due to too many unforced hitting errors. In set three Principia knew they had to make a comeback and take the match to five games, and they demonstrated the resilience and soul needed to succeed.
Tess Rountree started Principia's run in set three with smart kills to open spots and big blocks, and
Kiersten Andersen turned her game around with more kills and less errors. The team followed with tough serves, a seamless serve-receive, and more great plays to take the score to 12-6, and then win 25-16. In set four, Principia had their lowest hitting error percentage with fifteen kills and only one hitting error, but kept the score close with a few missed serves. Switzer helped finish game four with tough serving, and Principia won set four 25-20. Principia won set five with scrappy defense, smart hits, and supportive fans, finishing the match 15-9.
For the match, Rountree had twenty-five kills with only two errors, Switzer earned seven aces,
Tara Edwards put up forty-two assists, and Andersen led defense with eighteen digs.
Against Blackburn, Principia kept a steady pace. Edwards took the team on a run in game two with twelve aces in a row, earning thirteen aces for the match.
The Gold and Blue will return to action at home on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. for their senior night and last competition in regular season before the SLIAC championship tournament.
