V-Hawks Claim Day Two of Invitational with DeLongs 600th Win

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Women's Volleyball overpower (RV) Dakota State University (25-18, 25-21, 19-25, 25-17) on Saturday morning to kick off day two of the V-Hawk Fall Invitational. Followed later by taking down Valley City State University (25-21, 17-2526-24, 25-14). The V-Hawks rise to 7-7 (CCAC 1-0) while the Trojans fall to 7-5, and the Vikings fall to 6-4.

V-Hawks Coach Ryan DeLong in his 20^th season would be rewarded with his 600^th career game in game one of Saturday's matches. DeLong has been a crucial part of the Viterbo Women's Volleyball program, helping to mold the lives of many. We cannot thank him enough for his years of service to this program and are excited to see where he takes VU Women's Volleyball next.

The V-Hawks would begin match one with a five point run with multiple kills by Hailee Halverson and Grace Peyron. Led by Jada Mitchell and Martina McGrath the V-Hawks would go on another five point run midway through the set ending on a service error bringing the score to 10-20. The Trojan's would work to close the gap though Mitchell and Cailie Kowal would end the set with a kill.

Kenidi McCabe's service ace put the V-Hawks on the board for set two while Halverson and Mitchell would continue the trek with kills from Maddie Connor. Sadie Treptow from Connor would set the V-Hawks up for set point followed by a Halverson Kowal kill.

The V-Hawks started behind to begin set three. A Mitchell-Halverson block would send the V-Hawks on a five point rub, though a block by the Trojans would end the run. The V-Hawks would work to close the gap once again with a kill by McGrath and back to back blocks by Treptow and Mitchell.

Halverson and McGrath would put the V-Hawks on the board in the fourth set with a block. A seven point run fueled by Mitchell, Marquardt, and Jahr set the V-Hawks up to take set four. McGrath would take the final swing and kill of the match ending 25-17.

Mitchell would lead the V-Hawks in kills with 15, while Cailie Kowal would have 29 assists and Connor with 21. Kenidi McCabe supplied the V-Hawks with 20 digs. Tristyn Maras led the Trojans with 20 kills, while Madalyn Groft would have 23 assists.

Mitchell's kill from Connor started off the V-Hawks strong of set one of game two against the Vikings. Halverson and Mitchell would leap for a block retaking the narrow lead 12-10. Kowal's set up for Mitchell would end the set 25-21.

The Vikings would come out hot in set two leading the V-Hawks 9-5. After a timeout the V-Hawks would begin to recover on kills by Jahr, Halverson, and Treptow all assisted by Connor. Grace Check would dole out a kill for VU though it was not enough as the Vikings took set two.

Peyron would take a kill starting the third set. Late in the set Viterbo would go on a four and three point run aided by a Jahr McCabe kill. McCabe's service ace would tie up the set 24-24 setting up Mitchell to end with a solo block.

Holding a steady lead VU would inch their way towards victory, Connor with a strategic kill continuing the battle. Treptow would take three kills on a four point run widening the V-Hawks lead. Mitchell and Treptow supplying a block putting the V-Hawks in position to take set 4, with McGarth hitting the final blow with a set from Kowal.

Mitchell led the V-Hawks in match two of the day with 14 kills, at the aid of 29 Connor assists and 18 from Kowal. McCabe would take 33 digs for the V-Hawks while the Vikings Macy Fridgen would lead with 14 kills, and Sadie Hansen with 33 assists.

The V-Hawks return to action Tuesday September 10^th as they take on St. Francis (Ill) in conference play.