IW volleyball drops pair away from home

For Iowa Wesleyan Volleyball, it was a rough road this past week.

The Tigers were away from home on Thursday and Saturday, facing off with Stephens College and Saint Ambrose University.

Iowa Wesleyan was defeated in each of the contest, falling to Stephens 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23) and Saint Ambrose 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-18).

Against Stephens College, Iowa Wesleyan got down early, but did not wavier.

The Stars built a 10-3 lead, but the Tigers scored nine of the next 10 points to take a 12-11 lead.

Both teams would go back and forth, tying at 17-17, but it would be the Stars getting the edge in the end 25-22.

In set two, the Tigers got back on track. Thanks to some great serving by Alexis Hafenstine, the Tigers racked up six straight points to lead 15-7.

Eventually, the Tigers built up a 22-14 lead. The Stars made an attempt to battle back, but Iowa Wesleyan was able to close out the set 25-20.

Stephens would take set three as well, 25-19, but not before Iowa Wesleyan put up a fight. The Stars took an early lead, but the Tigers were able to pull back on top 11-10.

The Stars tied it at 15-15 and closed out strong for the set victory and a 2-1 match lead.

In the fourth set on the night, the Tigers held leads at various points throughout the set, which included 9-7, 10-9, 18-17 and 20-18.

Despite the Tigers slim advantages, the Stars were able to tie it at 22-22. After two straight points by the Stars, Iowa Wesleyan was able to take it to another match point, but Stephens finished it with a kill to win it.

Iowa Wesleyan was led offensively by Malie DaMate with 11 kills. Right behind DaMate was Madison Saia with 10 kills. Defensively the Tigers were led by Alexis Hafenstine with 18 digs. Right behind her was DaMate with 16 digs.

On Saturday against Saint Ambrose, the Tigers got out to a slow start.

Iowa Wesleyan found itself down five early, but the Tigers brought the game back even at 14 and 15.

After a good stretch of serving by Kyra Linkin, the Tigers found themselves with a 18-15 lead.

Despite the lead, the Tigers weren’t able to hold off the Bees, as they tied it at 21 and finished with the final four points for the win.

The Bees hot out to a hot start in set two as well and led by as much as six late in the set.

Iowa Wesleyan once again did not shy away.

The Tigers were able to pull within two at 23-21, but they didn’t have enough as the Bees held off the comeback.

In set three, the Bees jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but the Tigers stayed right in the rear view, taking the lead at 6-4.

Just like the Tigers, the Bees never went away.

After the Bees knotted the game at 10-10, it was all St. Ambrose the rest of the match to complete the sweep.

The Tigers were led by Malie DaMate with seven kills in the match offensively. Defensively, Alexis Hafenstine finished with 15 digs, with DaMate right behind her with 14.

With the loss, the Tigers drop to 2-16 on the season.

The Tigers will look to bounce back on Tuesday, Oct. 4, as they take on Faith Baptist Bible College at 7 p.m. in Ruble Arena.