The Fighting Scots women’s volleyball team has had a busy last two weeks. They recently participated in two tournaments alongside their regular season play. This included a trip to Kentucky over the weekend of fall break. 

Their conference play included games against Grinnell, Knox and Illinois College. The team’s most recent game was against Illinois College in Jacksonville on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Monmouth outplayed Illinois College in three matches (30-27, 30-25, 30-20)  for a crucial conference victory. Junior Samantha Robinson said, “We played very well against Illinois College. We stayed at the top of our game and pulled through when we were supposed to. It was a very fun match.”

The Scots earned their bragging rights for the year when they defeated Knox College at Knox on Thursday, Oct. 18. They managed a team total of 47 kills to Knox’s 16. The Monmouth women beat Knox in three decisive matches 30-17, 30-14, 30-17. 

Monmouth went to the net with Grinnell College at Grinnell on Tuesday, Oct. 9. The two teams were well-matched, which made it a close game up until the end, when, after five matches, Grinnell edged out Monmouth for the win with scores of 17-30, 30-23, 33-31, 29-31, 15-10.

During fall break, the volleyball team traveled to Crestview, Ky., for the Thomas More Tournament, hosted by Thomas More College. The team lost both of their Saturday games. They were defeated by Mount Union College 0-3, and by Hanover 1-3. Senior Colleen Wilkin noted, “Saturday we played some of the better competition we have seen this season so far. We started slowly and got better as the game went on, but still lost in 3. They had just beaten the 25th ranked team in the nation.” The Scots were able to turn it around on Sunday for two, 3-1 wins against Thiel College and Thomas More. Wilkin was named to the All-Tournament team for her performance. 

The Mississippi River Challenge Tournament was hosted by the University of Dubuque on Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20 in Dubuque, Iowa. Monmouth lost two matches on Friday (Coe College 0-3, Dubuque 0-3) and one on Saturday (Loras College 1-3) before chalking up a win against Maryville University in the final round of the tournament with scores of 30-15, 30-26, 30-19. Monmouth senior Kendra James received All-Tournament honors. 

The women have two more regular season home games before the start of the Midwest Conference Tournament on Nov. 2. Coach Kari Shimmin said, “The team has been working hard to improve in some areas. We have been especially focusing on more consistent play and tougher defense.” The Scots will play Beloit College on Friday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. and Lake Forest College on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. Both games will be played in the Glennie Gymnasium of the Huff Athletic Center and will also be available as live webcasts online. Seniors will be recognized at Friday’s game.

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