The Lawrence University volleyball team had an up-and-down week last week – after dominating Knox in three sets, the Vikings battled hard against Grinnell but wound up falling to the Pioneers in straight sets.
With senior Melissa Schnettler out for the season, the Vikings used a balanced attack against Knox, with four players having at least five kills. Sophomore Jenna Picha led the way with nine kills in the Vikings’ 25-17, 25-20, 25-15 win.
Freshman Diane McLeod and senior Farrell Tremble split the setting duties, picking up 14 and 13 sets respectively, while freshman Kathleen Rowland led the Vikings with 11 digs.
It was a different story versus Grinnell as the Vikings dropped three extremely close sets to lose 25-23, 26-24, 25-23. Junior Clare Bohrer led the Vikings with 14 kills, while no one else had more than six.
McLeod and Tremble once again covered the setting duties, totaling 15 and 12 respectively, but despite each set’s close score, the Vikings just couldn’t get over the hump and win a set.
Lawrence (10-12, 1-2 MWC) is currently seventh in the conference standings, but the season is new enough that the Vikings only trail St. Norbert and Grinnell, who are tied for third place, by one game.
The Vikings have several important conference games on their upcoming schedule, including visits to Ripon on Wednesday and to St. Norbert on Oct. 19. In a chance to make a statement and gain momentum going into the tournament, Lawrence will face conference-leading Monmouth on Oct. 22 at Alexander Gymnasium.
Volleyball teeters in conference standings
