Iowa Wesleyan volleyball loses back-to-back

NEVADA, Mo. — Iowa Wesleyan volleyball traveled hit the road over the weekend to compete in the Cottey College Tri.

The Tigers had a tough go as they fell in back-to-back games against Manhattan Christian College, 25-15, 26-24, 23-25, 25-11 and hosts Cottey College, 25-23, 25-18 and 25-10.

In the first set, Manhattan Christian wasted no time and quickly garnered a large advantage.

Iowa Wesleyan attempted to battle back, narrowing the deficit to six, but could not gain any further ground as Manhattan Christian took the opening set.

Manhattan Christian quickly gained a 5-0 lead in the second set, but the Tigers battled and were able to bring it within two at 8-6.

The Thunder put together a four 4-0 run from that point on. The Tigers had opportunities to take the second set, as they tied things up at 16, 17, and 18, and even led at 20-18.

The teams battled back and forth, but ultimately, the Tigers fell 26-24.

Iowa Wesleyan regrouped in the third.

Manhattan Christian quickly tied it up early, but the Tigers regained the lead and held onto it at 15-14.

The Thunder then took advantage of a couple of Tiger miscues and took a 17-15 advantage. Iowa Wesleyan did not give in though and regained the lead on six unanswered.

Manhattan Christian attempted to make a comeback, but the Tigers held strong to take the third set, 25-23.

The Tigers lost their momentum in the fourth set as the Thunder built up a quick 11-2 lead.

They did all they could to find a way to bounce back, but the Thunder took the fourth set to end it.

Morgan Pulido finished with 13 kills for Iowa Wesleyan. Malie DaMate had 15 assists in the loss and Kyra Linkin finished with 17 digs.

The Tigers looked to bounce back against Cottey College in their next match, but the Comets proved to be too much.

Iowa Wesleyan got out to an early 9-5 lead, but the Comets were able to battle back and tie the set at 11.

Late in the set, the Tigers once again found themselves with a lead at 17-15, but the Comets once again tied it at 18.

Cottey would take a slight lead, and that would be enough to close out the set, 25-23, putting the Tigers down 1-0 after one.

Set two would see the Tigers get down early, 10-7, but the Tigers wouldn’t give in. They battle back to make it a 17-16 set, but the Comets would score eight of the next 10 to take a 2-0 match lead.

In set three the Tigers getting up 3-1, but from there on out it would be all Comets. The Comets would score 24 of the next 34 points to complete the sweep.

With the loss, the Tigers drop to 4-20 on the season. Emma Lincoln and Madison Saia finished with seven kills each. Mackenzie Springsteen had 10 assists and Alexis Hafenstine with 24 digs.