Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 GREENVILLE, ILL. - What a beginning to conference play! Principia was ranked #4 in pre-season polls, and today's results against #1 and #3 didn't show any different. However, today's matches showed we are "in the hunt" and Coach Sprague is pretty sure this team is "all in" – ready to do what it takes to be competing for the SLIAC crown in November.
Principia took Greenville by storm in game one – 7-2, 17-12, 25-18. Principia was still in charge in game two, with Greenville sharpening up a bit. Prin had to work hard at it, but beat Greenville 25-22. Game three was a battle with Prin on top by the slimmest of margins until 20-20. At that point both teams were scrapping and clawing for whatever they could get, but Principia came up short 23-25. Game four showed Greenville creating point gaps and Principia working to erase them. Principia was pursuing the entire game, but game four was decidedly Greenville. Game five was back and forth – 4-4, 6-6, 8-8, 10-10, but Prin lost the match 13-15.
Principia came out on top offensively with a team hitting % of .325 and 61 kills. Prin outserved Greenville with 9 aces to their 5. However, Prin's defense was unable to come up with the digs to convert into points. Greenville was spreading the court wide with their speedy offense, and Prin watched too many attacks hit the floor. Greenville also won the blocking game with 9.5 blocks for the match compared to Prin's four.
Tess Rountree had another stellar outing with a season high 35 kills hitting .347, six aces. 10 digs, and a solo block.
Sierra Sprague was the most effective hitter hitting .417 with 10 kills and zero errors.
Summer Switzer was fast and furious adding 4 kills along with zero errors for a .308 outing.
Savanna Sprague had a good match delivering the ball for those 157 swings, while adding 4 kills of her own at a .667 clip, and serving up an ace as well.
Molly Moser was the sole member of the 100% serving club for this match.
The Panthers had 20 minutes to scarf down a quick snack before taking on a "ready to go" Westminster team. Westminster was fast out of the gate and before we knew it the score was 3-8. Prin did a great job of sticking to it, but game one went to WC 25-20. Game two showed that Prin was waking up a bit as they got out in front 7-4. Prin kept that lead and worked hard to stay in the driver's seat, but WC wouldn't give up. 16-11 went to 16-14, but Prin had a few key aces by
Savanna Sprague to widen the margin to 19-15. Those pesky Blue Jays kept at it and it was soon 20-18. Both teams were fighting and then
Tess Rountree fired it up to propel Prin to a 25-21 win in game two. Prin committed five service errors in game three and the WC hitters started delivering some heat, and Prin was guilty of watching too many balls hit the ground. WC took game three 25-19. Game four showed some nice fortitude from Prin. The block got a little tighter and the backcourt defenders stayed still and started digging some hard hit balls. WC got a little greedy and helped Prin out by swinging wild and out, and Prin took game four 25-15. Game five – wow! Only 2 hitting errors (6%) from Prin helped the cause, but WC was swinging hard and getting balls past Prin to create a 10-7 lead. The lady Panthers dug their heels in and made some bold moves to try to create some momentum. There was a sense of urgency for both teams, but I'm afraid it was the Bluejays that stayed the course and game five went to them 15-13.
Tess Rountree had another 35 kills outing hitting at a .365 clip, and
Lily Richards put down 9 kills. Tess also added one ace and three block solos to her effort.
Savanna Sprague tallied 37 assists and two service aces.
Summer Switzer was the sole member of the 100% serving club which included an ace. Cha Cha and Sierra led the defensive charge with 14 and 9 digs respectively.
Principia hosts Blackburn College Tuesday night at 7pm, and is looking for a "W"!
