Volleyball plays to end year on three-match win streak
Junior Callie Whetstone attempts to shoot around the block made by Pitt State on Nov. 11, 2014. The Lions got the victory in four sets, helped in large part by Whetstone who had nine kills and two blocks. Senior Katie Politte lead the team with 16 kills on the night.
The Lions volleyball team hit the road for the final time this season to take on conference opponents Central Missouri and Lindenwood last weekend.
Friday’s was against No.19 Central Missouri. Central Missouri came into Friday’s matchup riding a four-game winning streak and sitting No. 2 in the MIAA Conference with the regular season conference title still up for grabs. For the Lions, it was about playing spoiler for the Jennies.
But the Lions fell three sets to none on Friday. The Lions lost the first two sets by a combined point total of 19. As always, there is no quit in these Lions, so they battled in the third set that saw the Lions take a commanding three-point lead at 20-17. The Jennies went on a 5-2 run, and from that point, never looked back.
Leading the Lions on offense was Katie Politte, collecting eight kills, 14 digs and three blocks. Abby Finder dished out 21 assists and added 14 digs, while Callie Whetstone had seven blocks and five kills.
Lindenwood, riding an 11-game losing streak, welcomed the Lions to town for the first time this season on Saturday. Trying to avoid a five-game losing streak of their own, the Lions were looking to add on to the losing streak of Lindenwood.
And add to Lindenwood’s streak they did, winning the match 3-1. In the first set, there were 12 tied scores and nine lead changes. Tied 20-20, the Lions went on a 5-0 run and won the first set 25-20. Lindenwood would take the second set. The third and fourth sets belonged to the Lions as they won both sets quite easily.
“We were consistent with every skill,” said Politte. “Volleyball is a game of consistency. If you are not consistent, it makes it harder to win.”
“It always feels good to get a win, especially on the road,” said Whetstone.
For the Lions, Whetstone tallied 13 kills and 13 blocks, hitting .409 and scoring 22.5 points in the match. Politte added 16 kills and hit .317, while Abby Finder dished out 38 assists. Katie Wiele had a team-high 12 digs in the match.
To tally back-to-back victories, Southern then beat Pittsburg State on Tuesday night.
The Lions will end the season tomorrow night on Senior Night against Southwest Baptist. First serve is set for 5 p.m.
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