Lincoln Women’s Volleyball wins in three sets against St. Ambrose
 

[September 25, 2017] 

The Lincoln College Women’s Volleyball team returned to form on Saturday with a three-set sweep of the visiting St. Ambrose University JV team. The win improved the team’s record to 11-6.

In set one, neither team was able to capture the momentum during the early going. Missed serves and effective passing off of serve receive by both sides kept the score close. LC was finally able to grab the momentum after a back row attack kill from sophomore outside hitter Kaylyn Hoffert (Lincoln) broke a 9-9 tie and sent freshman libero Megan Gilliam (Waterloo) to the service line. Gilliam would deliver six straight points to put the Lady Lynx up for good. Lincoln went on to take the first set 25-15.

St. Ambrose came out flat in set two and, it looked as though it might be an easy win for LC until a run of aces from one of their jump servers got SAU back in the match at 9-9. The two teams would trade one to two point leads the rest of the way. Lincoln finally gained the upper hand late in the set on a cross court kill from freshman outside hitter Maddie Malinowski (Bloomington) that put LC up 24-23. After a St. Ambrose time out, sophomore setter Makayla Suelter (Peoria) served the set-wining point which was earned on a St. Ambrose hitting error.

In set three, the Lady Lynx jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they cruised to a 25-15 victory to end the match. Malinowski led the team in kills with eight and also picked up four digs. Hoffert and fellow sophomore Mattie Giese (Highland Park) were close behind Malinowski with five kills apiece. Sophomore middles Elysa Smith (Metamora) and Cassidy Sanneman (Henry) were busy at the net all day.

 Smith recorded a team high six blocks to go with her three kills, and Sanneman chipped in three kills and three blocks of her own. Sophomore setter Abbi Buelow (Rockford) was the Lynx assist leader with 17, and sophomore Jenna Weller (Salt Fork) led in points scored with 10.

Lincoln Coach Mark Tippett was pleased with his team’s performance. “We did a nice job of controlling the tempo of play,” said Tippett. “Every player was able to contribute to this win, and it was another balanced offensive effort which is exactly what we like to see at this point of the season.”

Lincoln will hit the road for Galesburg on Monday to take on the Carl Sandburg Chargers in a 6:00 PM match.

[Mark Tippett
Lincoln College
Sports Information]