10/19/24 Fulton, MO - In a day filled with intense competition, Westminster College split a doubleheader in Batesville, AR, facing two five-set battles against Fontbonne and Lyon College. The Blue Jays fought hard but fell to Fontbonne in a close contest before bouncing back with a resilient win over Lyon.
In the first match against Fontbonne, Westminster came up just short, losing in five sets (21-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20, 13-15). The Blue Jays rallied from two sets down to force a fifth but could not complete the comeback. Kylie Hasselbacher led the charge with 24 kills, hitting a .452 average and earning 25 points. Meghan Nolte was also pivotal in the front row, contributing 13 kills and 15 points. On defense, Haylie Schnake's 23 digs provided stability, while Emma Behrmann orchestrated the offense with 28 assists. Westminster's struggles in the early sets put them in a tough position, but they showed resilience by taking the third and fourth sets. The fifth set, however, was a back-and-forth affair, with Fontbonne eventually edging out the victory.
In their second match against Lyon College later in the day, Westminster showed their mental toughness by grinding out a five-set victory (25-27, 25-13, 25-22, 21-25, 15-5). This win improved their overall record to 14-14 and reaffirmed their competitiveness in conference play. Hasselbacher remained the key offensive weapon, hammering down 19 kills, bringing her total to 43 kills on the day. Madisyn Ellis also had a strong showing with 13 kills and 15 points, while Paige Rowland chipped in 10 kills and 5 blocks, adding 15 points to Westminster's effort. Defensively, Schnake was stellar once again with 25 digs, and Kirsten Schrader contributed 18 digs in a well-rounded performance. The Blue Jays found themselves trading sets with Lyon but dominated the fifth set, 15-5, to secure the win. Their ability to stay composed after dropping the first and fourth sets was crucial, as they controlled the final set to seal the victory.
Westminster's split on the day showcased their resilience and depth as they continued to build momentum in SLIAC play. They will look to carry this energy forward as they play at home this upcoming Wednesday against Greenville.
