Freshmen lead Griffins in Tri-Match

St. Louis- Fontbonne University women's volleyball overtook SLIAC Foe Iowa Wesleyan College this evening in a five-set thriller 25-16, 23-25, 18-25, 25-16 and 16-14. The Griffins then fell to Mid-Continent University in four sets 23-25, 18-25, 25-22, 17-25. Fontbonne is now 5-8 overall and 3-2 in SLIAC play.

The Griffins came out strong against the Tigers in their first set. Fans were on the edge of their seats the second set as Fontbonne fell just two points behind. Iowa Wesleyan managed to take control of the third set, but the Griffins weren't about to give up and dominated the fourth set.

An amazing play occurred during the fourth set that caught the Tigers off guard. Cassie Dougherty got a touch on a block and her quick reaction sent the ball out of bounds, across the center line. Quick footed setter Lynsey Wehrenberg managed to play the ball back to Fontbonne's court, and as the Tigers began a celebration thinking they just scored, libero Rachel Barnes sent a kill into the open backcourt. Griffin fans erupted as Fontbonne took the lead 17-12. The energy and momentum would carry on into the fifth set.

Fontbonne owes Wehrenberg many thanks on the evening. In the fifth set, she managed to scrape together several digs, coming out of nowhere and diving, sending her team to victory.

Against the Tigers, Senior Taryn Ballmann scored the game-high 18 kills. Freshman Maddie Stadler recorded 10 kills and 18 digs while fellow freshman Emily Weaver also nailed down 10 digs and contributed with four block assists. Barnes notched 22 digs during the match while Ballmann and Wehrenberg recorded double digit kills as well. Senior Cassie Dougherty contributed at the net defensively with six block assists.

Against Mid-Continent Cougars, Fontbonne's defense struggled against power-house freshmen Khris Schellentrager and Olivia Hoelker. The Griffins had trouble containing Schellentrager and Hoelker's knack for high speed, direct kills. Schellentrager recorded a game-high 20 digs in her final game of the night.

Stadler recorded the Griffin-high 15 kills during the four-set loss, being clutch in her back-row attacking attempts. She also recorded a team-high 13 digs.

Setters Mandy DeWitt and Wehrenberg contributed with 20 and 19 assists respectively.

Fontbonne plays at Webster next Tuesday, October 8th. Start time is slated for 6pm.