Fayette, Iowa. – The women's volleyball team of Southwest Baptist University played their first match of November in Fayette, Iowa on Saturday. The Bearcats fell to the Upper Iowa Peacocks in three sets, moving them to 8-16 on the season (1-8 GLVC).
The first set between the Bearcats and Peacocks had an intense ending. SBU took a 7-3 lead early, but Upper Iowa was able to tie it back up at 14 points a piece. Southwest Baptist then went on a 4-0 run to take the lead only to be answered by a 4-0 run of the Peacocks' own. The two teams continued to battle with neither side able to take the lead by more than a couple points. Freshman
Gabriela Dupree led the Bearcats' offense during this first set, scoring four of SBU's points to keep the match close. The team in blue was the first to reach 25, but Southwest Baptist's 24 points forced the set to continue. The two teams continued to trade points until a three-point run by the Peacocks secured them a 27-29 victory in the first set.
The two sets that followed were not as closely contested as the first. In the second set, an early 5-0 run put Upper Iowa ahead 2-7. The Peacocks never looked back as they went on to win this set 13-25. The third set was much the same. SBU kept the match close until Upper Iowa scored six unanswered points to go ahead 6-15. The Peacocks went on to win the set 15-25, securing the victory for themselves.
The standout performer of the match for the Bearcats was Dupree who led the team in both kills (7) and digs (24). Her 24 digs are the most by any Bearcat in a single game this season. Freshman
Chloe Chafins continued to show why she is a dominant server in the GLVC by adding another three service aces to her season total of 42. This number is good enough to place Chafins top of the conference in service aces. Freshman
Kailey Sexton led the team in blocks in the match with five block assists. She now sits in fifth in the GLVC with 78 total blocks on the season. Both senior
Katie Pogue and freshman
Allie Hawk reached double-digit assists in the game with 11 and 10, respectively.
The Lady Bearcats next play on Friday, November 7 at 6:00pm to kick off their final home weekend of the season. The team in purple will face Missouri S&T (8-15) before playing their final home game against Maryville (12-11) on Saturday.
