10/10/24 Fulton, MO - In a midweek non-conference match, the Westminster volleyball team faced a tough opponent in Washington University, falling in four sets 16-25, 15-25, 25-23, and 12-25. The Blue Jays were able to take one set from the Bears, but Washington's consistency across the board helped them claim the victory. 

Westminster found itself on the back foot early, dropping the first two sets as Washington University (16-4) controlled the pace of the match with aggressive serving and strong attacking. Despite the early deficit, Westminster battled back in the third set, taking it 25-23 behind key performances from their attackers. Kylie Hasselbacher led the way with 11 kills, while outside hitter Katelynn Jackson added 8 kills on an efficient .353 hitting percentage. The Blue Jays' defense was anchored by senior libero Haylie Schnake, who contributed 13 digs. Setter Emma Behrmann facilitated the offense, recording 22 assists while chipping in with a service ace. Westminster showed resilience but was unable to carry the momentum from the third set into the fourth, as Washington's offense powered them to a decisive 25-12 win to close out the match. Other notable performances for Westminster included middle blocker Madisyn Ellis, who tallied 9 kills and 6 digs, while Meghan Nolte added 5 kills and a service ace. Defensively, the Blue Jays worked hard at the net, with three players—Hasselbacher, Ellis, and Brooke Kiel—each contributing a block assist. 

With the loss, Westminster drops to 10-13 overall, but their SLIAC record remains strong at 5-1. The Blue Jays will return to conference action soon as they prepare for their next match.