NICK FEAKES | Reporter

The Lindenwood women’s volleyball team dropped a four-set match to Missouri Western (18-9, 12-2 MIAA) on Friday before rebounding and dispatching Northwest Missouri in a five-set thriller (14-12, 8-6 MIAA).

The Lions gave Missouri Western a scare as they came out firing to take the first set 25-19 before they dropped the next three 27-29, 25-16, 25-16

On Saturday, Haley Sigel had a career day as the Lions won in five sets 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 20-25, 15-7.

Sigel recorded 14 kills to go along with two blocks as she led all Lions. The sophomore’s 14 kills were only two fewer than she recorded all of last season.

Senior Emily Wylie continues to stand out on offense for the Lions. The transfer from Armstrong State recorded 13 kills while posting a .353 hitting percentage.

Wylie is on pace to break Kayla Guyot’s record for most kills in the NCAA era at Lindenwood. Guyot recorded 318 kills in the 2012 season. Wylie is currently projected to get 320.

“I was proud of our fight after a disappointing outing on Friday night,” team captain Megan Hellwege said. “We came back [on Saturday] and fought the entire match.”

Hellwege was especially appreciative of her team on the fifth set. 

“The fifth set was a lot of fun,” she said. “Our blocking stepped up big for us and it turned out to be the difference in that set. It was a total team effort to pull out that win in five sets on the road. I’m really proud of the way we competed and stayed focused throughout the whole match.” 

The Lions currently sit seventh in MIAA conference standings as they inch closer to a maiden MIAA tournament berth. The Lions will face Washburn University (16-10, 7-7 MIAA) at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, in Hyland Arena.

A win will propel the Lions above Washburn in the MIAA standings.