Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 ELSAH, ILL. -- Two back to back matches, both five game duels, and Principia finished 1-1 on the night.
Lindenwood University – Belleville came ready to play. Prin was down 0-8 in the blink of an eye, and worked hard to edge their way back into the game, but couldn't get a foothold in game one. Game two showed a turn around, and Prin led the way going up 8-2 and never looking back. Prin took game two 25-17. Game three was a two point game for the longest time. Prin pulled a five point lead at 19-14, and then Belleville climbed back in the game 20-18. It was back and forth until Prin took it 25-22. Game four was a battle –Belleville was up, Prin was up, Belleville again, and the game was tied at five different points. Belleville ended up taking it 27-25. Game five was a roller coaster. Prin led early on, but Belleville got to eight first for the court change, and outscored Prin 7-3 in the end to take the “w”. Belleville had a fiery competitive attitude – hitting hard from all over the court, putting up big blocks , and playing scrappy defense. Prin was trying to do the same, but the offense wasn't connecting that great. The team was being very smart pushing and pulling Belleville around the court – working to get their defense off balance to make scoring easier.
Tess Rountree led the offense hitting .327 with 20 kills, and added 27 digs and three solo blocks to Prin's defensive efforts.
Christine Nacewicz was a real competitor in this match – mixing her game up with quick power hitting as well smart off speed shots, combining for 9 kills and serving up two aces.
Sierra Sprague was bold from the middle terminating 7 kills and grabbing three block assists.
Kiersten Andersen led the defensive effort with 30 digs,
Summer Switzer had 25, and
Savanna Sprague 19 for the match.
In the second match against St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Principia started out serving Pharmacy off the court. Summer took Prin to 8-2 with her tough serves. Kiersten stepped in with some aggressive hitting and Prin was up 12-4. More good serving, some key blocks and nice teamwork gave Prin the game 25-13. Savanna served tough and had a great supporting defense to get Principia an 8-0 lead in game two. Prin finished with a 25-17 win. Games three and four were tough! Prin's offense sputtered, and players needed to come off the bench and play in positions they were not accustomed to. Prin lost both of those games as they reached for a greater sense of peace in this chaotic time. Kudos to all of those who came off the bench cold, and served their team beautifully. They were courageous and ready! Here we go again – game five to decide the victory! Prin was in the driver's seat 8-3 at the court change, and then Pharmacy pushed the door open and narrowed the gap to 8-7. Prin competed hard and build a two point lead, and then three points taking the match with a 15-12 game five victory.
Summer Switzer competed well serving up 4 aces and picking up 21 digs. Jess Bushong picked up the struggling offense with 12 kills hitting .242 for the match. Kiersten added 7 kills, three aces, two solo blocks, and nine digs.
