APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University volleyball team completed a perfect opening weekend of Midwest Conference play Saturday afternoon, sweeping Monmouth College 25-14, 25-14, 26-24 at Alexander Gym.
Lawrence controlled the match from the start, using strong offensive efficiency and consistent defense to take command of the first two sets before rallying late to close out the sweep in the third.
The Vikings hit .375 in the opening set and quickly built a lead behind kills from Emma Nilson, Hallie Neill and Bella Van Lannen. Lawrence turned a 7-7 tie into a 14-9 advantage and continued to pull away, with Van Lannen and Audrey Weier providing key kills during a 7-2 run. Lawrence closed the set on a 4-1 stretch to take it 25-14.
Lawrence carried that momentum into the second set, using a 9-2 run after an 8-8 tie to take control. Neill sparked the offense with a service ace, while Weier, Meg Pfannerstill and Van Lannen helped the Vikings maintain their advantage. Lawrence never allowed Monmouth closer than two points after taking a 20-12 lead and finished off another 25-14 victory.
Monmouth made its strongest push in the third set, taking a 24-20 lead and putting the Vikings in position to extend the match. Lawrence responded with six consecutive points to complete the comeback. Van Lannen delivered three kills during the closing stretch, while Makenna Rettler added a service ace before Van Lannen put away the match-winning kill for a 26-24 victory.
Van Lannen led the Vikings with 15 kills, while Weier added 10 kills while hitting .474. Norma Glisczinski finished with nine kills and a .412 hitting percentage, and Pfannerstill added six kills.
Neill finished with 21 assists, while Rettler contributed 15 assists. Amanda Vlkovic led Lawrence defensively with 17 digs.
Lawrence finished the afternoon with 50 kills, 48 assists and 61 digs while hitting .305 as a team.
The Vikings opened Midwest Conference play with back-to-back victories, finishing the opening weekend 2-0 in league play.
