The Lawrence University volleyball team still has a shot at qualifying for the Midwest Conference Tournament, but the Vikings will need a strong finish to the season.
With the season almost over, three of the four spots in the conference tournament have been clinched by Beloit, St. Norbert and Ripon. The Vikings are part of a group of four teams with four losses each: Lawrence and Lake Forest each have three wins and two games left to play, while Grinnell and Monmouth each have four wins and only one game remaining on their schedule.
The Vikings could have helped their cause by beating St. Norbert last week, but after jumping out to an early one-game lead, Lawrence could not hold on, losing the next three games to drop the match 22-25, 25-19, 25-10, 25-17.
St. Norbert has already clinched a spot in the conference tournament and is currently undefeated in conference play.
Last weekend, Lawrence took on four nonconference opponents at the UW-Eau Claire Invitational. The Vikings dropped their first match against UW-River Falls in straight games, but they rebounded against UW-Stevens Point to win three games to one.
The following day, Lawrence again got off to a slow start, losing in straight games to UW-Eau Claire, but they came back to defeat UW-Stout in straight games. Sophomore Clare Bohrer was named to the all-tournament team after finishing with 29 kills over the four games.
The Vikings finished tied for fourth at the tournament, which was won by Viterbo University.
Lawrence’s schedule finishes with road matches against two possible playoff teams, so the Vikings will have to play to the best of their ability to keep their postseason hopes alive. After last Wednesday’s match at Beloit, the Vikings head to Lake Forest Saturday to face the Foresters, with a trip to the MWC Tournament possibly on the line.
The Midwest Conference Tournament will be held on the court of the regular season conference champion Nov. 6 and 7.
Volleyball looks to finish season strong
