RIPON, Wis. - Carroll's volleyball team got off to a tremendous start to the 2023 Red Hawk Invitational Friday night. The Pioneers defeated Nebraska Wesleyan in five sets, before defeating the host school, Ripon College, in three sets during the nightcap.

Against Nebraska Wesleyan (5-4), both teams took turns grabbing the momentum. They would alternate sets, with Carroll (5-5) earning a hard-fought 25-19, 19-25, 25-21, 23-25, 15-9 victory. The Pioneers recorded 58 kills and a .183 hitting percentage, while Nebraska Wesleyan posted 41 kills and a hitting percentage of .133.

Carroll was led by Katie Jensen's 17 kills, to go along with a hitting percentage of .196. She also posted three blocks and four digs. Talia Johnson added 16 kills and a .250 hitting percentage for the Pios, while also registering a match-high 25 digs. Lindseey Christman also chipped in with 12 kills, while Taylor Railey led all players with four service aces. Lindsey Diep and Cora Riffle led the team with 19 and 18 assists, respectively, while Rebekah Andrae led the way with four blocks, including two solo.

Things were a bit easier for the Pioneers in their second match of the day, disposing of Ripon by a score of 25-21, 25-18, 25-16. Carroll also held the advantage in both kills (38-30) and hitting percentage (.206-.110).

Johnson had another strong outing for the Pios, leading all players with 13 kills and an incredible hitting percentage of .500. Christman and Jensen recorded eight and seven kills in the match. Emmie Magnin contributed a match-high four blocks (one solo), while Maggie McGough led the Pioneers with 14 digs. Diep led the team with 16 assists.

Carroll will try to duplicate Friday's results on Saturday when they'll compete in the second and final day of the Red Hawk Invitational. They will face Wisconsin Lutheran at 10 a.m., before battling Maranatha Baptist at Noon.