Lady Netters Take Big Win at Southwestern

Winfield, Kan. – The Lady Warriors played on the road over Homecoming weekend, taking on the Moundbuilders of Southwestern College. Sterling fought through a cold gym, but warmed up just in time to take a 5-set win over the black cats, 3-2.

Sterling seemed to be in control until the first set was about to wind down. They carried a 17-10 lead, but that quickly faded as SWC scored 5 straight points. Sterling did not allow a tie until the 20 point mark and even found themselves down a point before taking the last 5 points of the set. Sterling won the first set 25-21.

The next two sets were a struggle for the Warriors. In the second set, neither team could gain a significant advantage as the whole set was played with the teams staying within 3 points of each other. The Warriors led coming down the stretch, 20-19, but an advantage in the rotation allowed strong net play by the Builders and they took the last 6 points to win, 25-20. The match was tied at one set apiece.

Set three was another close one as neither team had more than a 3 point advantage once again. It was a set of mini runs with Sterling leading early, then SWC taking over. Sterling brought the lead to within one at 17-18 and the two teams traded points the rest of the set until SWC won 25-23. The advantage that Southwestern had midset proved to be the difference. Sterling had their backs to the ropes with a 2-1 set deficit heading into the fourth set.

As displayed in the previous three sets, these two teams were very evenly matched. The fourth set was no different. There were 9 ties in the course of the set. Sterling trailed early and tied it at 12 before taking a two point lead. SWC went on another mini run and took the lead once again at 14. Sterling took the lead for good in the set scoring the next 3 points and pulled away over the next several points and tied the match up at 2 sets each with a 25-20 fourth set win.

Once they warmed up, Sterling didn't look back. The fifth set was all Warriors. They scored the first two points, gave one up, then scored six straight to take an 8-1 lead in the deciding set. The teams switched sides and it was just a matter of time and Sterling ran away with a 15-4 deciding set. Sterling won the match 3-2.

Aubrey Young continues to thrive in this 5-1 offense racking up another 47 assists in the 5 set win. She is averaging over 45 assists/game over the last three games, the most of any three game stretch of her career. She also added 30 digs to go along with her offensive performance. Emily Peterson had a career high 20 kills in the match. Lindsey Kauffman, once again, led the Warrior back row with 33 digs; a performance that earned her the NCCAA Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week. Sterling is now 3-0 since she has moved to libero. Grace Battershell came off the bench to record 2 aces.

Sterling takes the long drive to Springfield, Mo. to take on the Evangel Valor Friday, October 20, at 6 pm. Sterling is 14-7 (4-4) and currently holds the 7^th spot in the KCAC. The head to head battle Friday could move Sterling up one spot in the standings with Evangel sitting one game ahead of them in the KCAC standings. Evangel is 9-11 (5-3) this season.

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.