Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Webster University volleyball team settled for a split to open the 2015 season, losing to Rose-Hulman Institute (IN), 3-1, and sweeping Robert Morris University-Springfield (IL), 3-0.  The matches took place at Grant Gymnasium on September 1.  The Gorloks couldn't overcome a 2-0 deficit against the Fightin' Engineers, but coasted in the win over the Eagles.

In the opener, Webster took a 5-0 lead to open the first set but fell 25-19.  In the second set, the Gorloks fell behind 23-15 and made a late run to make it 24-21 but a service error ended the comeback as they lost, 25-21.  The Gorloks raced to a 17-9 lead in the third set, and though the Fightin' Engineers closed to 24-19, Webster held on for a 25-19 win to make it 2-1.

Rose-Hulman jumped out in front in the fourth set, 9-3, and expanded its advantage to 19-9.  Webster battled back to 23-21, and after a Rose-Hulman time out, edged to within one at 23-22.  But Rose-Hulman took the next two points to win the set 25-22 and the match.

Webster had a much easier time against Robert Morris.  Webster took the first set, 25-12, the second 25-15, and finished off the sweep, winning the third set 25-14.

Transfer Jory Siebenmorgen (SO, Eureka, MO/University of MO-St. Louis) had 11 kills and four block assists in her first match for the Gorloks.  Emma Cabutti (SR, Mahomet, IL/Mahomet-Seymour HS) had 22 digs and Katie O'Toole (JR, St. Louis, MO/Lutheran South HS) had 21 to lead Webster in that category vs. Rose-Hulman.

Siebenmorgen and freshman Torie Grassi (St. Louis, MO/Rosati-Kain HS) each had seven kills in the sweep over Robert Morris.  Siebenmorgen also had a solo block and two block assists in the match.  Grassi also registered nine kills vs. Rose-Hulman for 16 total on the evening.  Freshman Jilli Zimpfer (St. Charles, MO/St. Charles HS) had 20 assists in both matches in her collegiate debut.  As a team, the Gorloks had 33 kills to 18 for the Eagles in the win.

Webster lost, 3-2, at Rose-Hulman in 2014.   The Fightin' Engineers are a member of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.  Robert Morris University-Springfield (IL) Eagles, are an NAIA member.

The Gorloks, who have advanced to the NCAA III Tournament the past four seasons, are looking to make it five in a row in 2015.  They are back in action in the Washington University Tournament on September 4-5, where they will face the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Rose-Hulman again, and North Central College (IL).