Volleyball Drops Pair to Open in Bellevue

Doane Volleyball dropped a pair of tide-swinging sets in their two matches on Friday and would get nipped by Westmont and Ottawa (Ariz.) to open the Labor Day Classic hosted by Bellevue.

Westmont won the opener, 3-1, with set scores of 25-27, 26-24, 25-15, 25-17. Doane held a 24-21 lead in the second set only to have the Warriors win the last five points and during the tide of the match.

Taylor Sluka (SO/Lincoln, Neb.) finished with 15 kills for the Tigers. Jaime Renshaw (SR/Sioux Falls, S.D.) dished out 33 assists, posted four ace serves, and finished with 24 digs, all team-highs. Simonie Mendenhall (SR/Clancy, Mont.) and Cassidy Tompkin (SR/Clay Center, Neb.) were each in on three blocks apiece to lead the Tigers.

Ottawa took a 3-2 victory over the Tigers, 18-25, 19-25, 25-23, 25-18, 15-13. With the scored tied 22-all in the third set, the Spirit picked up kills on three of the next four points to take the set and the momentum.

Sluka led the Tigers with a career-high 22 kills and added five total blocks. Renshaw dished out 50 assists, picked up 24 digs, and was in on five blocks. Kirsten Bures (SR/Odell, Neb.) picked up two ace serves in the match. Mendenhall finished with eight total blocks as Doane had 10 team blocks.

The statistics were nearly identical with a difference of two kills in the Spirits' favor proving the be the difference of the match.

Doane returns to action on Saturday as they take on Oklahoma City and Benedictine on the second day of play.