Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
FORT WAYNE - Although the Grace College volleyball team did not return to campus with a victory Tuesday, the Lady Lancers did send a strong message to the rest of the Mid-Central Conference. Grace challenged defending conference champion St. Francis throughout its match, eventually losing a tight 30-24, 26-30, 31-29, 30-25 decision.
After dropping the opening game of the match, the Lady Lancers rallied with a 30-26 win in game two. As well, Grace held game point at 29-28 in game three before St. Francis called a timeout, settled down, and scored the final three points. Grace continued to hang tough in game four, but eventually succumbed 30-25.
Jessica Hicks and Lynette Wilcox each finished with 11 kills, while Amber Birkey had 25 assists, 13 digs and eight kills. Wilcox also led the way with six blocks.
Grace (8-12, 1-2 MCC) will host Trinity Christian Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Lady Lancers are 2-0 at home this year and have dropped just one game in those two matches.
ST. FRANCIS DEF. GRACE 30-24, 26-30, 31-29, 30-25
(Grace Leaders)
Kills - Jessica Hicks 11, Lynette Wilcox 11, Amber Birkey 8
Assists - Amber Birkey 25
Aces - Jessica Hicks 2, Lynette Wilcox 2, Heather Huffman 2
Digs - Amber Birkey 13, Kinsie Waid 12, Stephanie Ingraham 12
Blocks - Lynette Wilcox 6, Jessica Hicks 5, Amber Birkey 4
WOMEN'S SOCCER
HUNTINGTON - The Grace College women's soccer team fell to 1-2 in Mid-Central Conference play, losing to Huntington 3-0 Tuesday on a wet and slippery surface.
With rain falling for much of the day, Huntington took advantage of the conditions early by scoring twice in the opening 10 minutes of action. Sarah Kaufman scored seven minutes into the action on a shot that hit both posts before ricocheting into the net. Beth Padilla followed with an insurance goal three minutes later to give the Foresters a 2-0 lead.
Grace settled down and the score remained 2-0 into the second half when Kaufman again found the back of the net early in the action.
That was all the scoring that was needed as Huntington's Robyn Althoff made six saves to shut down Grace.
Huntington held a 14-6 advantage in shots on goal as Grace keeper Jen Howard was forced to make 11 saves.
Grace (3-7, 1-2 MCC) will host Taylor Saturday at 3 p.m. in another conference match.
HUNTINGTON 3, GRACE 0
Scoring - 1. Huntington, Sarah Kaufman, 7:00; 2. Huntington, Beth Padilla, 10:00; 3. Huntington, Sarah Kaufman, 48:00.
Shots on goal - Huntington 14, Grace 6. Saves - Jen Howard (Grace) 11, Robyn Althoff (Huntington) 6.
