Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Despite a roster with just one senior and two juniors, the Grace College volleyball team played like a veteran squad Tuesday, coming up with clutch points in critical situations during a 30-20, 30-27, 30-28 win over Huntington in Mid-Central Conference play. The match was Grace's first home game of the year after opening with 15 road matches.
After winning a relatively easy opening game, Grace played well down the stretch in each of the final two games. Tied at 25-all, the Lady Lancers closed the second game with a 5-2 run to build a 2-0 game lead. In the final game, Grace trailed 28-26, but scored the final four points, including a pair of blocks, which accounted for the sweep.
Grace defeated Huntington only three days ago at the Defiance Invitational in four games, but the Foresters chose not to use 5-foot-11 senior middle hitter Jessica Kendall in that match. Although Kendall had nine kills and seven digs in Tuesday's conference match, the Lady Lancers made every adjustment necessary to keep from dropping any games against Huntington.
Grace senior Lynette Wilcox had 11 kills and a 42 percent attack rate, while Jessica Hicks led the Lady Lancers with 12 kills and added seven blocks and six digs. Amber Birkey had 28 assists and 10 digs, while Kinsie Waid had 10 digs as the libero.
With the victory, Grace improves to 1-1 in the conference. The victory is the first Mid-Central Conference win since the 2002 season as the team went 0-7 in head coach Karen Peterson's first season at the helm a year ago. Huntington drops to 3-5 on the year and 1-1 in the MCC.
Grace (7-9, 1-1 MCC) will travel to Illinois next to play Trinity Christian Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Trinity International Saturday at 1 p.m.
GRACE DEF. HUNTINGTON 30-20, 30-27, 30-28
(Grace Leaders)
Kills - Jessica Hicks 12, Lynette Wilcox 11, Anna Flint 6
Assists - Amber Birkey 28
Aces - Stephanie Ingraham 1, Jessica Hicks 1, Amber Birkey 1, Anna Flint 1
Digs - Kinsie Waid 10, Amber Birkey 10, Stephanie Ingraham 8
Blocks - Jessica Hicks 7, Anna Flint 5, Lynette Wilcox 2
WOMEN'S TENNIS
Thursday in Marion
The Grace College women's tennis team's 3-0 start in the Mid-Central Conference ended Tuesday with a 9-0 loss to defending conference champion Indiana Wesleyan. The Lady Lancers failed to win a set at any spot though the team did play competitively at a number of positions. Sarah Peters had the closest match of the day, dropping a 6-3, 6-2 decision at No. 2 singles. Anna Metz lost at No. 1 singles 6-1, 6-2 and all three doubles teams lost 8-1. Grace (3-2, 3-1 MCC) will host Taylor Saturday at 11 a.m.
INDIANA WESLEYAN 9, GRACE 0
Singles
No. 1 - Kristi Shuck (IWU) def. Anna Metz 6-1, 6-2
No. 2 - Erin Carrell (IWU) def. Sarah Peters 6-3, 6-2
No. 3 - Sarah Bauss (IWU) def. Juli Linton 6-0, 6-0
No. 4 - Diana Hedgebeth (IWU) def. Kari Hueni 6-1, 6-1
No. 5 - Shannon Gehrke (IWU) def. Brianne Beach 6-0, 6-1
No. 6 - Brittany Raymond (IWU) def. Amber Needles 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
No. 1 - Shuck/Carrell (IWU) def. Metz/Peters 8-1
No. 2 - Bauss/Kristi Haddad (IWU) def. Hueni/Linton 8-1
No. 3 - Gehrke/Raymond (IWU) def. Beach/Needles 8-1
Exhibition
Kristi Forgeng (IWU) def. Juli Hueni 6-0, 6-0
Melissa Masterson (IWU) def. Jen Hart 6-1, 6-2
Amber Barrett/Laura Sipe (IWU) def. Hueni/Hart 8-2
