Viking Volleyball Splits Matches at Clarke Tournament Friday

Marshall, Mo. (September 26, 2014)- The Missouri Valley College women’s volleyball team traveled to the Clarke Tournament in Dubuque, Iowa for matches Friday. The Vikings lost a close five-set match to Mount Mercy (Iowa) College, but came back to win the second match of the evening over Calumet (Ind.) College of St. Joseph. in four games.

The Vikings dropped a tough match to Mount Mercy to open play this weekend 15-25, 25-22, 25-12, 13-25, 6-15. Leading the Vikings was Senior Outside Hitter Rebecca Jones (Simi Valley, Calif.) who finished with 13 kills and a .419 hitting percentage to go along with two blocks. Junior Right Side Alyssa Sturgeon (Carbondale, Ill.) added seven kills and three blocks while Senior Middle Blocker Taylor Trotter (Bartonville, Ill.) had five kills and five blocks. Freshman Setter Kristin Sazama (St. Louis, Mo.) finished with 18 assists, three digs and three blocks. Freshman Setter FauFau Alaelau (Carson, Calif.) added 13 assists, six digs and one ace. The trio of Senior Defensive Specialist Jessica Hobbs (Wamego, Kan. Junior Setter Carrie Latimore (Florissant, Mo.) and Sophomore Defensive Specialist Genevieve Knoppi (Snoqualmie, Wash.) combined for 15 digs and eight aces while Junior Defensive Specialist Lindsay Hathcoat (Benton, Ill.) added 20 digs and one ace.

Missouri Valley rallied in the second match of the night for a win. After dropping the first game against Calumet, the Vikings won 11-25, 25-18, 25-11, 25-22. Freshman Middle Blocker Emily Dodge (Rolla, Mo.) led the Vikings with 12 kills and one block while Trotter finished with 11 kills and a .733 hitting percentage in the match to go with three blocks. Freshman Outside Hitter Kainan Sagale (San Diego, Calif.) finished with 11 kills, seven digs and two blocks while Junior Right Side Elisa Marques (Goiania, Brazil) had four kills, seven digs and two blocks. Sophomore Setter Haley Harrill (Council Bluffs, Iowa) finished with 38 assists, four digs and two blocks. Freshman Defensive Specialist Alex Witt (Little Rock, Ark.) had 15 digs and three aces while Senior Defensive Specialist Tarisha Starks (Kansas City, Mo.) had 16 digs and two aces.

The split Friday moves MVC’s record to 11-8 on the season.

The Vikings will play two more matches at the Clarke Tournament Saturday, playing Cardinal Stritch (Wisc.) University at 10 a.m., and Robert Morris (Ill.) University at 2 p.m.

About Missouri Valley College

Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 40 academic programs, study abroad program, honors program, extracurricular activities, and 13 sports. The most popular majors include education and business, and some new majors are ag-business, nursing, graphic design, and health information systems (associate degree). Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu