Elsah, IL. - The Principia College volleyball team ended its season on what has to be considered a high note despite the final result. The team lost, 2-3, in a thrilling match against Greenville University.
The team got off to a quick start and won the first set 25-15. Madi Leslie led Principia in kills with four and hit .429 for the set. Principia hit .217 as a team and added six service aces to win, with Neha Bandrapalli and Lindsey Huffman contributing. Greenville turned the tables in the second set, winning 25-16. Huffman again served well with three more aces. Principia regained the advantage in set 3, winning 25-20. Alana Hinson had five kills and Paige Fowler three. Principia was getting much more consistent passing from its back row at this point in the match. Angie Whitmore had one of her best matches, and the team refused to give up on issues. Aaliyah Scott and Bandrapalli led the team in assists. Greenville took the 4th set 25-19 as Principia again struggled offensively. In the decisive 5th set, the Panthers could not dig out of an early hole and dropped the set 15-11 to end the match.
Overall, the team had a season-high in kills, and Leslie finished with a season-high .217 hitting percentage. The team also racked up 17 aces which is their highest total by far. The improved play of Lydia Klutho, Brianna Shipley, and Krista Klava also helped to give Principia every chance to pull this out.
"It was a strong team effort, one that we can build on for next year. It was very satisfying to see so many things that we have worked on this season come together today. I'm very proud of all of them. It's disappointing to lose a close match like that, but each player was encouraged by what they saw in each other. So I'm ok ending the season with that," head coach Rich Eisenauer commented.
