Women’s Volleyball Continues Their Success

Tim Folliard
Sports Writer

Photo Credit: Tim Folliard

Wheaton, IL – The Benedictine women’s volleyball team was one of seven teams that competed at the Marilyn Scribner Invitational this past weekend.

They were able to walk away with two wins against Buena Vista University and North Central College, along with a loss at the hands of St. Mary’s College. Senior Taylor Dunwell was named Tournament MVP after recording a total of 39 kills and 38 digs.

St. Mary’s College Match:
Benedictine started the match with a 12-6 lead with 10 of those points coming from Eagle kills. With the help of Benedictine errors, St. Mary’s was able to take the lead at 17-16. St. Mary’s would not look back and won the first set 25-21.

The next set featured a 10-3 Benedictine run that put them on top 18-17. The point run was helped with serves by freshman Madelynn Seper and kills by Dunwell and sophomore Hannah Griffith. However, St. Mary’s ended the game with a run of their own and took the second set 25-21.

The third set featured 110 attacking attempts between the two teams. St. Mary’s was able to win the long rallies and controlled the set. They won 25-20 to finish the sweep of the Eagles.

Junior libero Hayley Primas led Benedictine with 17 digs and Dunwell recorded 14 kills.

Buena Vista University Match:
The first set was all Eagles as they were up 21-6 and closed out to win 25-11. As a team, Benedictine had a hitting percentage of .471 as opposed to Buena Vista, who recorded a team hitting percentage of .050.

The second and third set were back and forth battles. The second set featured a tie between the teams at 20. Benedictine was able to take the next two points but then Buena Vista ran off five points to win 25-22. The third set had twelve ties until Buena Vista was able to separate after attacking and serving errors by Benedictine. Buena Vista won the set 25-20.

Benedictine took the fourth and fifth set due to an offensive explosion. The fourth set did not see a single hitting error on thirty-four attempts from the Eagles. They were able to take the set 25-17. In the fifth, the Eagles took a commanding 8-4 lead to take the set 15-10.

The Eagles took the match with four players getting double digit kills. Junior Molly Stock led the way with 15 kills. Freshman setter Alyssa Mojica recorded 52 assists.

North Central College Match:
The first set saw the Eagles rally from a four-point deficit to take the first set 28-26. The set ended with a block from Griffith and Dunwell. Benedictine recorded 18 kills with kills by five different players.

In the second set, the Eagles held North Central to a .118 team hitting percentage. The game was tied at 20 until kills by Dunwell and sophomore Brooke Huizenga put them up. Griffith finished the game with an ace.

The third set was when Benedictine finished the ‘Battle of Maple’ with a sweep. The Eagles never trailed and had a nine-point lead late in the set. The set ended with the score of 25-18.

Senior Delaney Soto led the Eagles with 16 digs and Griffith added 5 blocks.

The Eagles have gotten off to a nice start. After eleven games into the season, they sit at an 8-3 record. Two years ago, the volleyball team finished the year with a 6-23 record. Stock has noticed the change.

“We’re bonding extremely well. There’s a different vibe this year compared to the past. Everyone is having fun and we have super positive attitudes. We all get along very well and really enjoy being with each other every day!” said Stock.

The Eagles continue their season this Friday at Lake Forest College.