JACKSONVILLE, ILL. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of
Technology swept a pair of matches on Saturday to complete a 2-2
weekend at the Illinois College Volleyball Invitational.
The Engineers earned a 30-17, 29-31, 30-25, 30-27
victory over Eureka College to even their record at 2-2.
Earlier in the day, Rose-Hulman topped Westminster 30-24, 20-30,
30-16, 30-21.
Freshman Amanda Jevons (Henderson,
Nev./Rancho) led the Engineers with 23 kills in the Eureka
victory. Jevons added three solo blocks and three block
assists.
Junior Sarah Messmer (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas)
pitched in with 17 kills, while junior Brandi Sturgill (Zionville,
N.C./Watauga) added 45 assists and a team-high 22 digs.
Against Westminster, freshman Kate Sernett
(Crystal Lake, Ill./Marian Central Catholic) led a balanced
attack with 14 kills and 16 digs. Freshman Samantha
Gregory (Huntsville, Ala./Catholic) led the team with 21
digs and a pair of aces.
Messmer joined Sernett in the double-double club
with 13 kills and 16 digs. Jevons rounded out the attack
with 10 kills, with senior Katie Tharp (Linton) adding a
team-high four blocks. Sturgill tallied 33 assists.
"We had a slow start on Friday, but we bounced
back. This was our strongest opening weekend in several
years. We are anxious but need to keep working to prepare
for our Invitational next weekend. We're really heading in
the right direction," said Engineer head coach Brenda Goble.
On Friday, Benedictine captured a 30-14, 30-24,
30-28 victory in the opener, before Iowa Wesleyan captured the
nightcap by a 30-24, 25-30, 24-30, 30-17 count.
Sernett had 15 kills, while Messmer added 13
kills and four aces in the Iowa Wesleyan match. Sturgill
recorded a season-high 45 assists with three service aces, Tharp
contributed two solo blocks, and senior Amanda Fellows
(Beavercreek, Ohio) paced the squad with 16 digs.
The Benedictine match feature 13 kills and 15
digs from Messmer. Sturgill had 26 assists, while Jevons
recorded a pair of aces. Sernett led the way with three
service aces.
Rose-Hulman hosts MacMurray College at 6 p.m. on
Friday and Dominican University at 8 p.m. Friday to open the
two-day Engineer Invitational at Hulbert Arena next weekend.
