Griffins upset Webster at home; Wehrenberg achieves two milestones in one night

St. Louis, Mo. - It was a huge night for Fontbonne University women's volleyball as the Griffins upset Webster University in the Battle of Big Bend. In front of a large home crowd, the Griffins went up 2-1 and secured final bragging rights of the year with a 15-12 fifth set victory.

Senior Lynsey Wehrenberg needed 27 assists and 13 digs to achieve two career milestones and that she did. Wehrenberg recorded her 2,000 career assist in the fourth set and earned her 1,000 career dig in the last play of the game. She is just the second person in Fontbonne history to record 2,000 assists and 1,000 digs (Rachel Schwoeppe 2004-07).

After losing the first set by just two points, Fontbonne rebounded and led most of the second set. The Griffins led 17-14 until Webster called a timeout and the Griffins found themselves down 19-22. Three Gorlok errors tied the game and after trading some points, Fontbonne closed out the set with two straight points.

The Griffins then overtook the Gorloks in the third set 25-18. Fontbonne led the entire set including a 23-14 advantage at one point. In the fourth set, Wehrenberg needed just two assists to hit her milestone and did so as Fontbonne trailed 3-7. Webster led 18-11 until a Fontbonne timeout put the Griffins in motion to pull within three points which forced the Gorloks to break and regroup. Fontbonne wouldn't get any closer as the Gorloks pulled off the 25-21 victory to force the fifth set.

A tight beginning in the final frame blew open when the Griffins led 7-5. Fontbonne earned their ninth point after a fantastic dig by freshman Megan Schaller kept the Griffins in the game and ultimately earned them the point. Leading 10-5, Fontbonne forced Webster to use their second timeout in the set. The Gorloks pulled within two (12-10) but Fontbonne closed out the upset 15-12.

Several key scrappy plays in the game gave Fontbonne momentum. Senior Kersten McDonough had a big night with a season-high 27 kills and a .442 hitting percentage. The outside hitter also led the team with a season-high 20 digs on the night. Wehrenberg finished with 36 assists and 13 digs. Seniors Holly Richter and Alli Brown each recorded one solo block and four block assists out of the middle position. 

Fontbonne will honor six outgoing seniors prior to their final home game this Friday at 7 p.m. against Illinois College. The Griffins close out their season with three games on the road.

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