A dropped first set proved to be no problem for the Fighting Scots volleyball team as they take sets two through four over the visiting Grinnell Pioneers. The Pioneers swiped the first set 25-18 while the Scots won the next three unanswered by scores of 25-14, 25-23, and 25-19.
With this result, the Scots improve to 7-13 overall and 4-3 in league play, now tied with the Pioneers in league standings. Both teams occupy the final two conference tournament qualifying spots.
“I think we realized we didn’t come out as strong as we wanted to.” said Melina Teunis, who led the Scots in blocks with 11 on the evening. “In the second set, we really got our momentum going and that carried [through] the rest of the game.”
“We were all just serving really aggressive,” said Kaylee Celus, who recorded a career-high eight aces on the evening. “We were just working on the seams, and we sort of knew who to serve to, so we were just being really aggressive.”
Blocks were also aplenty for the Scots at the front row, with Bri Woodward and Abby Viano following Teunis with seven and five blocks, respectively.
“When I’m in the back row and I see them get a huge block, I get so excited for them. We’d get a block and then we’d be like ‘Let’s go get another one! Let’s go get another one!’ It was so exciting.” added Celus.
The Scots will play their final three home regular season games from October 30 through November 2. On the 30th, Monmouth will host the Foresters of Lake Forest College with first serve set for 7 p.m., and on Halloween, will host the Beloit Buccaneers with a 1 p.m. first serve.