Kearney, Neb.—The Southern Nazarene University volleyball team was swept in back-to-back matches to open up the Rosella Meier Fall Classic. The Storm took a tough draw as they were opposed by a pair of unbeaten teams on day one of the tournament.
Match 1:
It does not get much more difficult than what the Crimson Storm (3-2, 0-0 GAC) were tasked with in game one of the tournament as SNU matched up with the third ranked Lopers of Nebraska-Kearney (6-0). The Lopers proved their ranking to be true in this one as Kearney controlled the match, knocking off the Storm in straight sets (25-15, 25-20, 25-13).
Southern Nazarene proved they were not afraid of the challenge early on, keeping within a point at 12-13, but an 11-1 Loper run busted the first set wide open. They limited the Storm to a negative hitting percentage at -.026% in that first frame.
SNU was excellent at the net throughout the contest. They collected 11 blocks in just three sets while limiting Kearney to 4 in the match.
Nebraska-Kearney jumped on the Storm early in the second set, but SNU showed their grit and battled back. Trailing 11-18, Southern Nazarene rattled off five straight points to bring the score within just two points. That would be as close as the Storm could get, though, as the Lopers fended off a pesky SNU squad for the 25-20 set two win.
Set three completely belonged to NKU. 4-2 was as close as the Storm kept the set before Nebraska-Kearney began to show their No. 3 ranking was no joke, hitting at an extremely efficient .308 clip.
Sunny Batschelett and Whitney Bowie led the way for the Storm with 7.5 points each on 5 kills and 5 assists each.
Madeline Lynch was the defensive leader with 17 digs.
Match 2:
Things did not get any easier for the Storm (3-3, 0-0 GAC) in the second match of the day as SNU found themselves up against undefeated West Texas A&M (6-0), who sit just outside the top-25. The Buffs completely shut down the Southern Nazarene offense as they cruised to a three set win (25-11, 25-13, 25-16).
The Crimson Storm attack never garnered any momentum in this matchup, being limited to a -.029 hitting clip. They hit below .000 in the first two sets before hitting .029 in the final set. The Buffs countered at a .310 hitting clip for the matchup, including a very impressive .414 in the second set.
The Storm never held a lead in any set in the match. West Texas would score the first six points in the first set and never looked back, gaining more and more momentum as the match moved forward.
Sunny Batschelett and Bailey Grimes each grabbed 5 kills in the match.
Kaley Brubaker tallied 12 assists and 4 digs in the effort.
The Storm will look to bounce back tomorrow in the final match of the Rosella Meier Fall Classic. Southern Nazarene battles Chadron State College, a team they have only met one other time in history. SNU defeated the Eagles in four sets back in 2018. The Storm look to do the same tomorrow with first serve set for 2:00 p.m.
