UJ Volleyball 3-1 over Midland, Sat.

The University of Jamestown women’s volleyball team won its tenth straight match to open the season, defeating Midland (Neb.) University 3-1 Saturday evening at Harold Newman Arena. Set scores were 23-25, 31-29, 27-25, and 26-24.

The Warriors proved to be competitive from the start, reeling off five straight points to break a 12-12 tie in the first set. Down 17-12, UJ responded with five straight points of their own to tie the set at 17. Tied once again at 22, Midland took advantage of three Jimmie attack errors over the final four points for the 25-23 opening set win.

In a back-and-forth second set, Jamestown took leads of 17-14, 18-15, and 21-17 only to have Midland score four straight to tie the set at 21. UJ had four set point opportunities, but the Warriors were able to stave them off and continue play. Tied 29-29, an attack error by Midland and a Kalli Hegerle (JR/West Fargo, N.D.) kill ended up being the difference as the Jimmies tied the match at 1-1.

Set three saw the Warriors take control early on, building leads of 10-4, 15-7, and 18-10.  It appeared the Warriors were on the way to taking a 2-1 match lead as they held a 23-16 set advantage, but Jamestown showed resilience in taking the next seven points to knot things up at 23. Back-to-back kills from Anna Holen (JR/LaMoure, N.D.) ended the set with UJ winning 27-25.

Jamestown trailed 8-7 in the fourth set before a 9-2 run created some separation and a momentum shift. Midland rallied to get within one at 20-19 and 22-21, then tied the set at 24. A Holen kill followed by a Warrior attack error sealed the deal for the home team.

Nicole Schmitz (FR/Oakes, N.D.) had a career night with 18 kills and hit .378 in 37 attempts to lead the Jimmies. Holen and Corina Huff (SR/Breezy Point, Minn.) had 12 kills each and Taylor Sabinash (JR/Kensal, N.D.) eight.

Megan Gaffaney (JR/Jamestown, N.D.) and Jackie Meiklejohn (JR/Dickey, N.D.) both passed out 28 assists.

UJ had a season-best 104 digs, with Sydney Ellingson (SR/Langdon, N.D.) racking up 30. Holen added 27, Hannah Schiele (JR/Jamestown, N.D.) 22, and Gaffaney 11.

Jayla Ritter (JR/Forest Lake, Minn.) had three block assists among her five total blocks. Huff added four total blocks and Hegerle three.

Jamestown (10-0 overall, 8-0 Great Plains Athletic Conference) is on the road next weekend, playing at Doane (Neb.) Friday and Hastings (Neb.) Saturday.