by (Lawrence, KS) – In a another thrilling home back-and-forth match, Haskell managed to defeat Stephens College in five sets. While Stephens fought hard and won two sets, it was Haskell’s consistent play and key points that ultimately secured them the victory.
Set 1: Haskell Prevails
The first set was a close contest, with both teams trading leads. Haskell started strong with a service ace from Jaspen Ellenwood, but Stephens quickly answered with attack errors from Haskell players. Stephens briefly took the lead, but Haskell’s Tressa Jim and Alaina Dugi’s serving and attacking prowess helped them regain control. The set was tied multiple times, but Haskell pulled away at the end with a kill by Aniah Smith and an attack error from Stephens’ Lena Hunziker, giving them a 25-20 victory.
Set 2: Haskell Dominates
Haskell carried their momentum into the second set, dominating from the start. A combination of service aces, kills, and attack errors from Stephens allowed Haskell to build a commanding lead. While Stephens managed to score a few points, they couldn’t overcome the deficit. Haskell’s Alaina Dugi had a particularly strong showing, delivering multiple service aces and contributing to her team’s 25-17 victory.
Set 3: Stephens Fights Back
Facing a 2-0 deficit, Stephens came alive in the third set. Led by strong kills from Makenna Bollinger, Amari Branch-Autman, and Aaleah Woodard, Stephens took an early and decisive lead. Stephens’ Emma Whitson was instrumental in the set, providing multiple assists. Stephens’ defense was also solid, blocking several Haskell attacks. The strong performance from Stephens resulted in a 25-13 win, forcing a fourth set.
Set 4: Stephens Forces the Tie
The fourth set mirrored the third, with Stephens again taking an early lead and maintaining it throughout. Emma Whitson continued to be a key player for Stephens, with her service aces and assists. Makenna Bollinger and Aaleah Woodard continued to be strong offensive contributors, delivering crucial kills. Despite a late rally from Haskell, Stephens’ solid defense and powerful attacks secured them a 25-20 victory, tying the match at two sets apiece and setting up a decisive fifth set.
Set 5: Haskell Takes the Match
The fifth and final set was a nail-biter. Both teams traded points, with neither able to gain a significant advantage early on. Haskell’s Mya Dalgai delivered key kills, while Stephens’ Aaleah Woodard responded with powerful attacks of her own. However, Haskell’s defense came through in the clutch, with multiple blocks that led to Stephens’ attack errors. Haskell ultimately sealed the match with a combination of kills and Stephens’ errors, winning the set 15-10 and the match 3-2.
