Griffin volleyball adds SLIAC win over weekend

Oct. 22 – On Friday, the Fontbonne University women's volleyball team almost pulled off a 4th set comeback to force the 5th set, but started their rally too late. The Griffins fell to Rust College 21-25, 25-19, 17-25 and 20-25. On Saturday, Fontbonne competed against SLIAC conference foes Blackburn College and Spalding University. The Griffins are now 4-17 overall and 4-8 in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

With a team high .36 attacking percentage including 11 kills, three service aces, and 23 digs, senior Ana Hibbeler led the Griffins against Rust College. Freshman Liya Pak contributed to the defensive efforts recording a season high 21 digs. Junior Olivia Thurmond was the glue for the Griffin offense assisting 22 kills against the Bearcats. Sophomore Abbie Bergtholdt recording 17 successful attack attempts to help the offense as well.    

Fontbonne won their first match on Saturday against the Blackburn Beavers. It took five long close sets: 25-20, 21-25, 25-14, 22-25 and 18-16. The win is the first in the last four matches. Three of the four wins have gone to five sets. The Griffins collected 132 digs during the match with Hibbeler recording 35, Bennight 27, and Thurmond 24. Bergtholdt recorded 17 kills once again while also recording three solo blocks. Against the Beavers, Thurmond upped her assisting to 28. Pak recording a team high four service aces, two of which came during her six consecutive serves.

The Spalding University Eagles soared to victory over the tired Griffins during the afternoon match. They claimed the win in three sets 6-25, 12-25 and 17-25. Service errors and reception errors haunted both teams. The hard hitting Eagles held the Griffins to just 48 total digs despite their continued effort with several amazing Griffin defensive plays.

Fontbonne returns to action Tuesday night, October 25th, as they travel down Big Bend Boulevard to take on conference rival Webster University at 7:00pm.