WAVERLY, Iowa — The Wartburg College volleyball team split a pair of five-set matches Friday on the opening day of the Wartburg Invite, rallying from a two-set deficit to defeat UW-Stout before falling to Gustavus Adolphus in a closely contested nightcap at Levick Arena.
The Knights opened the day with a thrilling 3-2 reverse sweep of UW-Stout, winning by set scores of 24-26, 25-27, 25-18, 25-20 and 15-8. Wartburg then battled Gustavus Adolphus to a second five-set match, ultimately falling 25-13, 23-25, 25-20, 18-25 and 9-15.
Following Friday's results, Wartburg moves to 3-5 overall.
GAME ONE | Wartburg 3, UW-Stout 2
Wartburg overcame a two-set deficit to earn its third victory of the season, closing the match with three consecutive set victories.
UW-Stout jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the opening set before the Knights responded with an eight-point run, highlighted by a kill from
Anna Sash and a seven-point service run from
Gracie Hoskins. The Blue Devils, however, scored the final four points to take the set, 26-24.
The second set featured several momentum swings, with Wartburg taking an early lead before UW-Stout rallied from a 23-20 deficit to win 27-25 and take a 2-0 match advantage.
The Knights answered in the third set behind a strong serving stretch from
Alexa Melcher, building an early 7-2 advantage. After UW-Stout tied the set at 14-14, Wartburg pulled away to claim a 25-18 victory.
Wartburg carried the momentum into the fourth set, using a series of timely kills to secure a 25-20 win and force a decisive fifth set.
The Knights took control early in the fifth, trading points with the Blue Devils before closing the match on a 4-0 run. Robinson served the final four points as Wartburg completed the reverse sweep with a 15-8 victory.
Sash led the Knights with 20 points and 15 kills while hitting .464 and adding six total blocks. Hodges also recorded 15 kills and 17 points.
Alexa Buhman finished with 45 assists, 11 digs, three kills and one service ace, while Robinson paced the defensive effort with 18 digs.
Wartburg finished with a season-high 60 kills and recorded at least seven service aces for the fifth consecutive match.
GAME TWO | Gustavus Adolphus 3, Wartburg 2
The Knights carried their momentum into the second match of the day, winning the opening and third sets before Gustavus Adolphus rallied to claim the final two sets.
After Gustavus scored the opening point, Wartburg responded with a 3-1 advantage behind a service ace from Buhman and a kill from Maassen. The Knights maintained control throughout the set and closed with five consecutive points to take the opener, 25-13.
Wartburg again started quickly in the second set, building an 11-4 lead behind a strong service run from Sash. Gustavus answered with a late surge, scoring the final six points to take the set, 25-23.
The Knights regained control in the third set, receiving key kills from Hodges and Kauten en route to a 25-20 victory and a 2-1 match lead.
Gustavus responded with a strong start in the fourth set, building a 9-0 advantage. Wartburg mounted a late comeback attempt but was unable to overcome the deficit, falling 25-18 and forcing a fifth set.
The decisive set remained competitive early, with the teams tied at 6-6 before Gustavus pulled away to secure the 15-9 victory.
Hodges led Wartburg with 20 kills and reached 100 kills on the season. Buhman posted a season-high 46 assists to go with three service aces and six digs, while Falk recorded a career-high 17 digs. Maassen added 15 kills and 16 points.
Sash recorded at least four total blocks for the second consecutive match and posted a season-high three solo blocks.
UP NEXT
Wartburg closes out the Wartburg Invite Saturday, Sept. 12, hosting Wheaton College (Ill.) at 10 a.m. before facing Bethany Lutheran College at 2 p.m. Both matches will be played at Levick Arena.
