STORM LAKE, Iowa—The No. 16 Wartburg College Knights bounced back after dropping the third set to open American Rivers Conference action 1-0.

The Knights defeated the Beavers of Buena Vista, 25-18; 25-8; 23-25; 25-15.

Program Recognition

The Knights have improved their record to 9-0 on the season. Following sweeps of UW-Eau Claire and Augsburg, the Knights were ranked No. 16 in the AVCA weekly rankings.

How It Happened

It was a back-and-forth battle early as the Knights and Beavers were evenly matched. A pair of kills from Kylie Bildstein and Zaiah Quirk helped the Knights take a 12-9 lead over the Beavers. Although the Knights never relinquished the lead, the Beavers would come to tie the set at 13. A kill by Quirk and block by Allison Feigenbaum started the Knights on a 10-5 run to win the first set.

Bildstein was a force early in the second set, having direct involvement with four of the opening nine points for Wartburg. A pair of kills from Jayme Willemssen and Feigenbaum gave the Knights a 12-4 advantage. The Knights finished the set on a 9-0 run.

Opening kills from Willemssen and Bildstein had the Knights starting set three on a 3-0 run. After a Kennedy Meister kill gave the Knights a seven-point lead, the Beavers recorded four unanswered points to bring the set within three. A 7-2 run by Buena Vista had the Knights trailing by one for the first time in the set. The set was tied four time in the closing points as Buena Vista ended the set on a 3-0 run.

With both teams looking to win the fourth set, Wartburg took an early 8-5 lead. A block by Buena Vista brought the set within one at 8-7 before a Meister kill started the Knights on a 7-0 run. Willemssen, Bildstein, and Quirk recorded blocks as the Knights took a late 19-10 lead. With Claire Marsh setting the ball, Meister and Bildstein noted kills for the Knights to win the fourth set.

Key Players

Bildstein recorded 15 kills in the match to lead all players in total kills. Quirk and Meister recorded 13 kills in the official stats. Marsh added 47 assists as well as a service ace. Bildstein was everywhere on the court, recorded three blocks and an assist in the contest.

The Knights recorded 60 kills in the game on 147 total attacks for an attacking percentage of .327. The Knights added eight blocks, 78 digs, and three aces to their box score.  

Next Match

The Knights hit the road for the UW-La Crosse Invitational, Sept. 17-18. The Knights are slated to face Hamline (9/17), UW-La Crosse (9/18), and Elmhurst (9/18).
 
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