Noah Chism

Reporter

On Thursday, Nov. 13, the Mississippi University for Women Lady Owls Volleyball team defeated Blackburn College in the quarterfinals of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament.

This was the first time that the volleyball team participated in the playoffs, and it was also the first time that Owls Athletics has played host to a SLIAC championship tournament game in Columbus. In The W’s three years in the SLIAC, its teams have always had to travel to any post-season competitions.

The Lady Owls put their dominating court presence on display when they defeated the Beavers by sweeping them in the first three sets of the game. The Lady Owls were aggressive and assertive on offense, totaling 55 kills, which is their third-highest tally of the season, as well as 51 assists, which is also their third-highest total of the season.

Members of the volleyball team celebrate gaining a lead against Blackburn.
Photo courtesy of Owls Athletics.

The team was also good for 51 digs as a team against the Beavers, and they have saved some of their best volleyball for the end of the season. This win gave the team six consecutive wins against SLIAC opponents.

This win also set up the next playoff game against Westminster on Saturday, Nov. 15. That game was played in Greenville, Illinois.

Members of The W’s baseball team cheer on the Lady Owls.
Photo courtesy of Owls Athletics.

The Owls faced off against Westminster two separate times this season, falling in defeat 0-3 the first time but improving that margin to a defeat 2-3 in their second match just a few short weeks later.

Unfortunately, the Lady Owls fell to Westminster by a score of 3-0.

The entire team has helped the Owls to get to this point, but there are a few select individuals who have stood out on the stat sheet this season, with Megan Neeb totaling 363 kills after the home win and another 10 against Westminster. Skye Leston came in at a close second with 358 kills and another 11 in the Westminster loss.

In the season-ending loss, freshman Sydney Barrett had three blocks and five kills on her ledger. Madyson McBrayer notched four kills and eight digs. Junior setter Kinsley Kennedy had 30 of her team’s 31 assists in the match. Sophomore libero Brooklyn Comfort’s 16 digs led the backrow players.

The volleyball team lists only three seniors on this year’s roster, so next year’s lineup should have experience in post-season play.