ELSAH, Ill. – The Webster University volleyball team earned a straight-set victory over Principia College on Thursday evening, defeating the Panthers 25-17, 25-12, 25-8 at Hay Field House. The Gorloks improved to 11-10 overall with the victory.
Webster delivered a balanced offensive performance, recording 37 kills while hitting .237 as a team. The Gorloks also dominated from the service line, finishing with 13 service aces, while holding Principia to a -.043 hitting percentage.
Kate Moleski, Lauren Brown, Leah McGrath, Carley Hersberger, and Karen Lewis each recorded five kills to lead the Gorloks. Moleski added three service aces and two block assists, while McGrath contributed a solo block.
Emma Price directed the Webster offense with a team-high 16 assists and four service aces. Addison Urbanski added nine assists, while Shalamar Szarka finished with seven. Catherine Rennier also contributed three service aces, while Eva Tarlos added two.
Defensively, Lilly Bott led Webster with seven digs, followed by Lexi Filkins with five. The Gorloks finished with 41 digs and five total team blocks.
The opening set featured several early ties before Webster established control. With the Gorloks leading 14-12, Webster scored five consecutive points to extend its advantage to 19-12. The Gorloks maintained their lead down the stretch, closing out the set 25-17.
Webster carried that momentum into the second set, delivering its strongest offensive performance of the evening. The Gorloks recorded 18 kills with just two attack errors, hitting an impressive .432. Leading 5-4, Webster used an 11-0 scoring run behind the serving of Price to build a commanding 16-4 advantage before securing the set 25-12.
The Gorloks continued their dominance in the third set, holding Principia without a kill while forcing five attack errors. Leading 16-8, Webster scored the final nine points of the match to complete the sweep with a 25-8 victory.
Webster will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 24, traveling to Fulton, Mo., for a pair of St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchups. The Gorloks will face Westminster College at 10 a.m. before taking on Eureka College at 12 p.m.
