The Basics
Score: MNU 3 – William Woods 1
Record: MNU (11-7, 7-4), William Woods (2-11, 1-10)
Location: Olathe, Kan. - Cook Center
Set Scores: 25-19, 21-25, 25-22, 25-13
OLATHE, Kan. – MNU bounced back from Thursday's loss with a four-set victory over William Woods on Friday evening, defeating the Owls 25-19, 21-25, 25-22, and 25-13.
The Pioneers overcame a slow start in the opening set, falling behind 12-4 before Dominika Bartosz sparked a seven-point service run that tied the score at 13. William Woods briefly regained a 17-13 advantage, but MNU answered again, eventually taking its first lead at 19-18.
The Pioneers finished the set with seven of the final 8 points, including kills from Mia Olson and Laura Carbonell, to claim a 25-19 victory.
MNU started the second set with a 10-6 lead, but William Woods rallied to take a 14-11 advantage. The Owls extended their lead to 22-17 before MNU mounted a late comeback behind Bartosz, whose service ace helped cut the deficit to 22-21. William Woods responded with three consecutive points to even the match at one set apiece.
The Pioneers regained control in the third set, breaking a 9-9 tie with five straight points during a service run by Emily Mathis. William Woods narrowed the gap to 18-17, but MNU responded with four consecutive points, highlighted by a Bartosz kill, to build a 22-17 lead. The Pioneers held on for a 25-22 win.
MNU delivered its strongest offensive performance in the fourth set. After falling behind 3-0, the Pioneers quickly recovered and built a 16-8 advantage. They continued to pull away, hitting .341 with 19 kills in the frame to close out the match 25-13.
Kennedy Smalley and Pola Madziewicz shared the team lead with 12 kills apiece, while Olson added 10 kills and five blocks. Bartosz finished with 9 kills, 12 digs, and 2 aces, and Carbonell contributed 7 kills without an attack error.
Mathis anchored the defense with 23 digs and eight assists, while Macie Metcalf recorded 22 assists and Anna DeGraffenreid added 19.
Turning Point
Trailing 17-13 in the opening set after already overcoming an eight-point deficit, MNU scored eight of the next nine points to take a 21-18 lead.
Individual Leaders
Kennedy Smalley: 12 kills, 6 digs, 2 blocks
Pola Madziewicz: 12 kills, 10 digs, 2 blocks
Mia Olson: 10 kills, 5 blocks
Dominika Bartosz: 9 kills, 12 digs, 2 aces
Laura Carbonell: 7 kills, .438 hitting percentage
Emily Mathis: 23 digs, 8 assists, 1 ace
Macie Metcalf: 22 assists, 6 digs
Anna DeGraffenreid: 19 assists, 9 digs
Up Next
The next match is Tuesday at home vs Park at 7:00.
