Winning four straight, the Webster University volleyball team finished tied for first in the Illinois Wesleyan University Tournament, in Bloomington, IL, on October 27. The Gorloks beat host Wesleyan in a tie-breaker, 3-2, then defeated the University of Dallas, 3-1, to finish 4-0.
The Gorloks had a battle with Wesleyan, falling in the first set 22-25, then rallying to tie the match with a 25-17 win. After falling behind 2-1 with an 18-25 loss in the third set, Webster sent the match to a tie-breaker set with a 25-20 win. The Gorloks took the tie-breaker, 15-12, and the match.
Vs Wesleyan, Sam Kersting (SO, Lindbergh HS, MO) had 16 kills, a solo block and two block assists. Kristen McDowell (SO, Staunton HS, IL) had 10 kills and two block assists. Jordan Vehlewald (SO, Lafayette HS, MO) pitched in with nine kills and a team-high 24 digs. Emily Ratkewicz (SO, Granite City HS, IL) had one solo block and four block assists.
Against Dallas, the Gorloks took the first two sets, 25-22 and 25-14, but lost the third 23-25. Webster finished off the victory with a 25-17 win in the fourth set. Jenny Howard (SO, Duchesne HS, MO) had 10 kills, four service aces, and 16 digs in the match, and Vehlewald had 15 kills, and 14 digs. Ratkewicz and Lindsey Taylor (JR, Rockwood Summit HS, MO) each had five kills and five block assists. Liz Abraham (JR, Hermann HS, MO) led Webster with 17 digs.
Webster has won six in a row and four straight vs. non-conference opponents. They are 21-9 overall on the season. The IWU Tournament provided the Gorloks with solid competition to prepare them for St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.
Carthage College (IL), who Webster did not face in the round-robin format, finished 4-0 for the Tournament as well. Kersting was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts.
Webster has one game remaining on its regular season schedule, a match at Principia College (IL) on October 30. With a win, the Gorloks can assure themselves of no less than a tie for the SLIAC title. It would be Webster's ninth SLIAC first place finish, and the fifth in the last six seasons.
