KENOSHA, Wis. -- The Wartburg College volleyball team (2-3 overall) split a pair of five-set matches at the Carthage Invite on Saturday. The Knights first fell to Centre College 3-2 on Saturday before rallying to defeat Carthage College 3-2 in game two of the day.
Game 1: Wartburg vs. Centre
Despite dropping the first two sets 15-25 and 22-25, Wartburg rallied to win the third and fourth sets 25-17 and 25-18. However, Centre secured the match by taking the decisive fifth set 15-11. With this loss, Wartburg falls to 1-3 overall, while Centre remains undefeated at 3-0.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The match began with Centre scoring the first three points of the opening set. Wartburg responded with a
Peyton Robinson ace, an
Emma Liechti kill, and an
Ashlynn Hodges kill from
Alexa Melcher to take a 5-4 lead. However, Centre regained the lead at 7-5 and maintained momentum to win the set 25-15, despite efforts from
Anna Sash and
Kaylee Koudelka.
In the second set, Wartburg established a 3-0 lead with the help of a Centre service error and blocks by
Emily Naughton and Liechti. Although the Knights maintained their advantage, Centre rallied with a seven-point streak to win the set 25-22.
Wartburg leveled the score at 6-6 in the third set with a Koudelka kill and a Falk ace, eventually winning 25-17. The fourth set saw Wartburg tie at 6-6 and then build a lead to win 25-18.
In the fifth set, Wartburg traded points early but fell victim to a Centre five-point run, closing the match 15-11.
Hodges led Wartburg with 16 kills and 16 points, achieving career highs with her 16 kills and 10 digs. Buhman contributed 36 assists, a new season-high, along with 11 digs and three kills. Robinson recorded a team-high 23 digs, while Falk tallied four service aces.
Game Notes
- Wartburg totaled at least 10 blocks in two consecutive games.
- The Knights achieved at least 80 digs in two consecutive games.
Game 2: Wartburg vs. Carthage
In a thrilling comeback, Wartburg defeated Carthage 3-2 (19-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-21, 15-9). After falling behind two sets to one, the Knights won the final two sets 25-21 and 15-9, improving their record to 2-3 overall, while Carthage fell to 1-2.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Carthage opened the first set strong, building a 6-1 lead. Wartburg worked back to 21-17 with notable plays but could not secure the set, losing 25-19.
Wartburg responded in the second set, establishing a 3-0 lead and maintaining it to win 25-19, aided by Naughton's strong performance.
In the third set, the Knights fought hard but fell short as Carthage closed with five straight points to take the set 25-20.
Wartburg rebounded in the fourth set, using kills from Sash and Hodges to maintain a lead, ultimately winning 25-21.
The fifth set saw Wartburg take early control, leading 4-1 and building a solid cushion to finish the match 15-9.
Koudelka scored a team-high 15 points and achieved a season-high 14 kills. Buhman set a season high with 45 assists and 14 digs. Robinson led the Knights with 22 digs, while Falk served eight aces, a career high, and collected 14 digs. Wartburg recorded a season high of 55 kills and 12 service aces in this match.
Game Notes
- The team has maintained a streak of at least 72 digs for three consecutive games.
Up next, the Wartburg College Volleyball team hosts the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. inside Levick Arena in Waverly, Iowa.
