Bloomington, Ill. – The Carroll University volleyball team dueled with the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan on Sunday afternoon in Bloomington. The Pioneers finished each set close behind, but the Titans claimed three sets first, winning the match. Freshman
Ashley Konecki recorded a season-high 14 points with a team-high 10 kills, 10 digs, four service aces, and an assist.
The Pioneers (0-6, 0-6, CCIW), finished each set after scoring 20+ points, but could not close out IWU. The Pioneers recorded 51 total digs including 11 from both
Emily Konop and
Emily Schliesman. Schliesman also recorded 10 of the team's 22 total assists.
Sofia Camacho notched three blocks, with
Lindsey Hella close behind with two. The Pios finished with 25 total kills, including 12 in the third set.
The Pioneers quickly jumped out to a 4-1 lead thanks to three straight service aces by Konecki. Konecki recorded the team's first two kills to bring the lead up to 9-6. Carroll led 19-14 after blocks from Camacho and
Sam Penzkowski, but Illinois Wesleyan finished on an 11-3 run to win the set.
Konecki led the offense with a Kill to start set three from
Kelly Reynolds. Penzkowski added one of her own from Reynolds as well. The Pios, down two, scored four straight including a service ace from Camacho. The Pios led 14-10 when Wesleyan went on another scoring run, this time outscoring Carroll 7-1 to take a 17-15 lead. Blocks from Camacho and Hella, and two aces by
Kloe Longtin put the Pios back in the lead 19-17. Konecki notched a kill to give Carroll a 22-21 lead, but two attack errors and two kills gave Wesleyan enough points to take the set.
Konecki, Penzkowski, and
Katie Jensen connected on kills to take a 4-2 lead in the third set. Penzkowski later tied the set 6-6 with a kill from Reynolds. Konecki's fourth service ace of the game tied the third set 13 all, followed soon by a Jensen kill from Schliesman. The Pios tallied four straight points to re-tie the set at 19-19. The Pioneers stayed close, keeping the match tied at 23-23, but two final Titan kills finished the game.
The Pioneers take a quick break before hosting North Park on April 7 for the final match of the year, and senior night in Van Male Field House.
