Women’s volleyball falls on last game of Lindenwood Invitational, breaking winning streak

The+womens+volleyball+team+practice+their+spikes+before+starting+competition+against+Cedarville+University+on+Sep.+13+at+Hyland+Arena.

Photo by Merlina San Nicolás Leyva

The women’s volleyball team practice their spikes before starting competition against Cedarville University on Sep. 13 at Hyland Arena.

Merlina San Nicolás Leyva, Sports Editor

The women’s volleyball team hosted three different teams at the Lindenwood Invitational over the weekend, losing only one match.

The Lions won their first home game of the season against Cedarville University on Friday night at Hyland Arena.

With a new energized roster, the Lions won the first set 25-17 against the Yellow Jackets. The second set was a challenge for the Lions, as they kept exchanging points with Cedarville. Eventually, the Lions managed to amp up and win the set 35-33. During the last set, the Lions started slow, trailing by three points, but managed to come up with the win 25-22.

According to the Lindenwood Athletics website, the Lions out-blocked the Yellow Jackets 7-4 and recorded nine aces as a team.

On Saturday morning, the Lions faced Ohio Dominican, sweeping yet again with scores of 25-19, 25-19 and 25-17.

Freshman Mackenzi Sifuentes led the Lions with eight kills on 14 swings for a .571 attack percentage. Sadie Kosciuk posted seven kills, three aces and two blocks. As a team, the Lions held the Panthers to a -.011 attack percentage.

At this point, the Lions had a winning streak of five matches, but the University of Montevallo had other plans.

The Lions fell short in the first set 21-25 but rallied back in the second set to win 25-18. The third set was much closer and interesting as the Lions fell short of taking the win, just three points behind Montevallo for a 22-25 score.

Going into the fourth set, the Lions powered to win in a close 25-21 set but fell short in the final set 15-7.

Freshman Annalise Harry made her first collegiate appearance and recorded a season-best for the Lions as a setter with 61 assists. Harry also led the Lions with 17 digs, for her first career double-double.

Middle hitters Kosciuk and Sifuentes both earned All-Tournament team honors. Kosciuk had 34 kills, eight blocks in 10 sets and a .375 hitting percentage for the weekend, while Sifuentes had no errors until their match against Montevallo.

The Lions are 5-1 for the season and will host the Lindenwood challenge next weekend. They will face first Flager College on Sep. 20 and Mckendree and Maryville University on Sep. 21 at Hyland Arena.