WAVERLY, Iowa-- The Wartburg volleyball team (14-9 overall, 6-1 American Rivers) swept Simpson (7-15, 1-5) Tuesday to extend its margin for first place in the conference standings.



Senior Lizzy Blough (Dike) led all hitters with 13 kills and had as many digs. Sophomore Kylie Bildstein (Dyersville) tallied nine kills and freshman Jayme Willemssen (Waverly) recorded eight.

Senior Mallary Erbes (Urbandale) had a double-double with 32 assists and 10 digs. Sophomore Katie Foster (Charles City) had 16 digs and classmate Sydney Rottinghaus (Mason City) had 10.

Defensively, the Knights held the team advantage in blocks (13-3) thanks to career-high numbers from Bildstein, junior Paige Deppe (Dyersville), and sophomore Lexi Groe (Lake Mills). The Orange and Black held the Storm to a negative hitting percentage (-.016) on the night.

In the first set, Wartburg took the lead at 6-4 and never looked back. In the second set, once the Knights took the lead at 8-7, they compiled a four point run to extend their margin which they never relinquished.

In the final set, the Orange and Black had to battle back and used a five-point run to take the 18-16 lead. The score was tied two more times, which included at 21 all. Wartburg used a 4-2 run to seal the sweep.

The Knights have now won the last nine-straight in the series.

The Orange and Black are off from competition this weekend and return to the court for the regular season finale at Buena Vista  Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.