On to Round 2. The NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament
The tournament started with 39 area ladies competing. A few ended their season yesterday. And here are the ones still playing.
Eleven colleges started the tournament strengthened with ladies from Missouri and Kansas high schools. Six of those colleges remain and will play in the second round later today. Here is what happened yesterday.
Those Bowing Out
Cal-Santa Cruz
The 25th ranked Banana Slugs from Santa Cruz (Yes, that is the school’s nickname. More on that at another time!) fell to Texas-Dallas, 3 to 1. Kelly Ann Greene (St. Teresa’s Academy) will be back for her junior year next season to build on this year’s 19 and 6 record.
Fontbonne University
Fontbonne fought their way into the tournament but had the misfortion to draw the No. 1 and only undefeated school in Division III. The Athenas of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps played like the Goddess of War for which they are named to down the Griffins 3 to 0. Nineteen Missouri high school grads learned through adversity as Kristin Kaempfe (Perryville) recorded 10 kills and Hannah Gallagher (Francis Howell) got 9 digs. Both of those ladies will be back next year.
Millikin University
Milliken pushed the No. 10 ranked Wash U.-St. Louis Bears as far as they could, but came up just short, losing the fifth set, 16-14. Tori Stuart (Incarnate Word Academy) led the charge with 17 kills and Sophia Howell (Webster Groves) contributed 24 digs. More on Wash U.-St. Louis later.
North Park
North Park pushed No. 3 ranked Northwestern-St. Paul further than anyone could imagine, losing 3 to 1. North Park scored 20 or more in each set. Abby Richmond (Paola) will be back for her junior year next season
Southern Virginia
Carnegie-Mellon proved to be too much for Southern Virginia, defeating the Knights 3 to 0. Jilane Pederson (Valley Park) closed out her collegeiate career with 2 kills and 2 solo blocks.
Eight Ladies Will Advance
University of Chicago - Will play Trinity University (TX) today at 6:00
Chicago’s match with Texas Lutheran was about as evenly matched as you can get, with the Maroon’s winning the fifth set, 15 to 13. Chicago was powered by Maggie McInerney (St. Teresa’s Academy) with 20 kills and 13 digs. The former Star and current star will return next season for her junior year, just as Bettye Igbenebor (Blue Valley West).
Emory - Will play Transylvania today at 7:00
No. 5 ranked Emory wasn’t pushed by Bethany (WV), winning 3 to 0. Amanda Meyer (St. Joseph’s Academy) contributed 7 kills and 4 blocks, two of which were solos.
MIT - Will play Scranton today at 3:30
The No. 18 ranked Engineers rolled over Maine Maritime, 3 to 0. Senior Lilly Edwards (Pembroke Hill) had 6 kills and contributed 3 blocks. Making it a sister act, Freshman Paige Edwards (Pembroke Hill) came in to get a service ace.
New York University - Will play Salisbury today at 3:30
No. 8 ranked NYU defeated Westfield State, 3 to 0. Sarah Lattan (Pembroke Hill) looks to help the Violets add to their 26 and 6 record.
Washington Univ-St. Louis - Will play Hope today at 4:30
As noted earlier, the Bears survived a strong push by Milliken University, winning the fifth set 16 to 14. Michaela Bach (John Burroughs) contributed 10 kills to the win for the No. 10 ranked Bears.
Wisconsin-Whitewater - Will play Gustuphus Adolphus today at 4:30.
Wisconsin-Whitewater is better known in these parts as Lance Leipold’s first head coaching job, winning 6 DIII football titles. But, they play very good volleyball, too. Johni Bunkers (St. Joseph’s Academy) looks to help her team to the next round.
And there you have it. Outstanding young ladies playing outstanding volleyball on the national stage. Stay tuned to see who moves on to the third round.