LA CROSSE, WI (VCSUVikings.com)- VCSU volleyball took part in The Viterbo Holiday Inn Express Tournament in La Crosse over the weekend. Against some tough programs including two that received votes in the latest NAIA national poll, The Vikings went 0-4.
They were defeated by Our Lady of the Lake University, The University of St. Francis, Morningside College and Cardinal Stritch.
Valley City State will hit the road again next weekend for the Concordia (Neb.) Bulldog Bash Tournament on Friday and Saturday.
Friday
Our Lady of the Lake 3, VCSU 1
The Vikings dropped their opener to Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) in four sets. After losing the first two sets – 17-25 and 14-25 – the Vikings bounced back with a 28-26 win in set three. Our Lady of the Lake put the match away in set four, 25-15.
Freshman Katie Juarez led the Viking attack with seven kills. Clarissa Olson, Autumn Johnson and Paige Benson all had five kills each. Leah Ruter led VCSU with 24 assists, and both Reagan Ingstad and Charlotte Huschka recorded three service aces. Huschka posted nine digs and Hailie Wilds recorded seven.
The Vikings hit .020 as a team, compared to .247 by Our Lake of the Lake. The Saints, who are receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, were led by 12 kills from Natalie Fazio.
University of Saint Francis 3, VCSU 0
The Cougars swept Friday’s finale by scores of 25-21, 25-21, 25-18.
Clarissa Olson led the Viking attack with eight kills. Paige Benson had five kills and Autumn Johnson and Katie Juarez each had four kills in the loss. The Vikings hit just .053 compared to .250 for Saint Francis.
Leah Ruter led VCSU with 15 assists; Charlotte Huschka had 13 digs; and Katie Juarez served up seven aces.
Saturday
Morningside College 3, VCSU 1
The Vikings were tied with Morningside College after two sets, but the Mustangs closed out the match with 25-11 and 25-14 wins in sets three and four. Morningside is receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll.
Clarissa Olson (11) and Paige Benson (9) combined for 20 kills to lead VCSU’s offense in the match. Freshmen Makayla Wetzel and Reagan Ingstad each served two aces, and Charlotte Huschka led the defense with 15 digs. Olson also have five block assists and hit .409 in the match. As a team, the Vikings hit .079 compared to .303 for Morningside.
Cardinal Stritch 3, VCSU 2
The Vikings rallied from a 2-1 deficit to force a fifth and deciding set in Saturday’s finale. After the Vikings won set four, 25-19, Cardinal Stritch sealed the match with a 15-5 win in set five.
Olson and Benson had big matches again, both hitting over .400 as they combined for 22 kills. Madison Brown added six kills and Autumn Johnsontallied five in the match.
Leah Ruter had a team-high 26 assists while Morganne Eppard served three of VCSU’s 12 aces in the game. Charlotte Huschka posted a season-high 21 digs.
VCSU hit .117 as a team while Cardinal Stritch hit .173.