Lady Pioneers stumble in first day of CAC Classic

October 8, 2021

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa – Crowley's Ridge visited Iowa Wesleyan University's Ruble Arena for the opening day of the Continental Athletic Conference Classic. The Lady Pioneers fell in both contests, first to Cottey (Mo.) College 3-0 (16-25, 20-25, 23-25). The second match of the day started well, with the Lady Pioneers winning the first set against Haskell (Kan.) Indian Nations University before the Indians won the final three to take a 3-1 victory (25-22, 22-25, 11-25, 22-25).

MATCH ONE

Crowley's Ridge - 0

Cottey - 3

Crowley's Ridge College (5-8, 0-2 CAC) got better with each set, but a strong attack from Cottey (11-12, 1-2 CAC) proved too much for the Lady Pioneers. 

CRC stayed with the Comets early in the first set, trailing 12-10 midway through the set. An 8-2 run by Cottey vaulted the Comets to an opening set victory 25-16.

With Olivia Deckelman and Hannah Halverson behind the service line, the Lady Pioneers rattled off a 7-1 spell to take their first lead of the match at 8-7. That lead proved short-lived after a pair of Cottey service aces took the wind out of the Lady 'Neer sails. Despite a valiant comeback featuring a Halverson service ace, Cottey took a 2-0 set advantage with a 25-20 set win.

The Lady Pioneers shot out of the gates in the third set by taking a six-point lead with a 13-7 lead.  The Comets fought back to tie the set at 22-22, but three consecutive kills by the Comets quenched any thought of a Pioneer comeback with a 25-23 win.

Brooklynn Passmore paced Crowley's Ridge with a seven-kill effort. Passmore also had two aces and seven digs. The Pioneer front row teamed up for five total blocks including a pair of solo stuffs from Deckelman and Paige Glenn.

MATCH TWO

Crowley's Ridge - 1

Haskell - 3

Crowley's Ridge (5-9, 0-3 CAC) shook off the early loss by jumping ahead and winning the first set of the nightcap 25-22. A Kaitlyn Perkins service ace helped propel Crowley's Ridge as the Lady Pioneers had 11 kills in the first set.

Haskell (2-16, 2-0 CAC) answered in the second set with a 25-22 victory. The Lady 'Neers had their backs against the wall after the third set, which saw them score 11 points while hitting in the red at -20%.

Crowley's Ridge hoped to force a fifth set by blasting a match-high 13 kills. Unfortunately for the girls in green, the Indian attack was too much to overcome as they took the set to win the match.

Brooklynn Passmore led CRC's offense with nine kills and 18 digs. Hannah Halverson was strong at the service line with three aces.

UP NEXT

The Lady Pioneers will look to regroup before the back half of the Continental Athletic Conference Classic begins tomorrow. CRC takes on hosting Iowa Wesleyan at 9 a.m. before wrapping up against Lincoln Christian (Ill.) University at 11 a.m.