By Christopher Shaw · Staff Writer
The women’s volleyball team dominated the visiting Waynesburg Yellow Jackets in a three-set homecoming sweep Saturday. The Wolverines stormed to a 25-8 first-set win, proceeding to secure the second 25-10 and the third 25-5.
The Wolverines logged 31 kills, with senior Kendra Klusch and sophomore Annie Atwood each contributing seven. Senior Alayna Dorst added another five. Senior setter Brooke Manfull extended her 12-game double-digit assist streak by putting up 10, with senior Sarah Harris contributing seven assists. In addition, Grove City logged 13 aces to Waynesburg’s one.
Dorst and freshman Reagan Riordan led the defensive effort with 10 digs each, closely followed by junior libero Lilly Wojtala, who had eight. Klusch also contributed defensively with a team-high seven blocks.
Homecoming, besides hosting reunions and a parade, is also a day for sports.
“Since I’ve been on the team, we have always had an away game during Homecoming weekend,” Klusch said. “So having a home game this year was definitely special. We also had so many people show up, which always makes the game atmosphere more exciting.”
The Wolverine fans turned out, packing Grove City College Arena with 350 fans. In any sport, the cheering and presence of a crowd builds the perfect mix of excitement, intimidation and momentum, Atwood noted.
“We are so grateful that everyone there took the time from all the other activities on campus to come support us,” Dorst said.
Grove City is just starting its run through PAC opponents. After a 13-3 non-conference slate, nine PAC matches fill the Wolverines’ schedule over the next four weeks. They will face each of the 11 teams once, with conference record determining playoff seeding.
Geneva and Waynesburg, Grove City’s two conference wins so far, have yet to beat a conference opponent. As of Oct. 4, Franciscan, Westminster, Hiram and Grove City are atop the standings, all undefeated. The Wolverines, defending PAC champions, will fight for the top seed and a home path back to the championship.
“Our focus is always on what’s right in front of us. Our goal is to win another PAC championship and go further in the NCAA tournament, but that starts with doing our job in the next game,” Klusch said. “We play with a next-ball philosophy, meaning that we are constantly living to better the next play and not worrying about what just happened.”
Dorst also commented on the team’s strategy.
“The thing we’ve been focusing on all season is just to play our game,” she said. “That’s when we thrive, is when we focus on just running our speed of play, being disciplined with the little things and bringing the energy every point regardless of the score.”
Following their third conference victory against Westminster on Wednesday, the Wolverines will go on to face Washington & Jefferson tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Grove City College Arena.
“That’s what we must do whether we play good teams or worse teams: just play our game. Many teams run different speeds of play, a faster or slower offense, which can throw a team off and make them sink to the opponent’s level or panic, but we’ve done a really good job this year of not letting the other side of the net dictate how we play,” Dorst said. “So, we just need to keep doing what we’re doing, keep our eyes fixed on the prize of Christ, and the wins will come.”
