Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – In a rematch from earlier this season, No. 20 Midland University hosted Grand View University on Saturday in the NAIA Women’s Volleyball Opening Round. The Warriors withstood a strong start by the Vikings in the opening set and rallied for a straight-set victory to advance to the final site of the NAIA Volleyball National Championship.
Grand View opened the match on a quick 5-0 run, forcing a Midland timeout. The Warriors clawed back to within 11-8 before a short burst by the Vikings pushed the lead to 15-8. Midland answered with a 10-2 run to swing momentum, taking an 18-15 advantage. The teams traded points the rest of the way as the Warriors closed out the first set, 25-20.
The second set was even early, featuring 10 ties through the first 20 points. With the score knotted at 10-10, Midland used a 6-1 run to take control. Grand View responded with a 6-1 run of its own to even the set at 17-17. After two more ties, the Warriors closed on another 6-1 push to take the set, 25-20, and a 2-0 lead in the match.
Set three opened with four ties up to an 8-8 score. Midland scored two straight and extended the rally to a five-point surge for a 13-9 lead. After a brief Grand View sideout, the Warriors continued their run to go up 18-11. The Vikings ran out of momentum late as Midland sealed the sweep with a 25-17 win.
“Today’s win is bittersweet. I want to be in full celebratory mode, but it’s hard just knowing that someone who’s been so impactful to our team is probably out for the rest of the season,” head coach Micah Rhodes said, referencing an injury to Lauren Jones.
“We could have easily folded when that happened. I think it shows the resiliency and preparation of our team. Their focus was in the right place, and they didn’t let it wander. I thought Lauren Williams came in and did an incredible job. We talk about that a lot — that anybody needs to be ready to go at any moment.”
Regarding advancing to Sioux City, Rhodes added, “This was their ultimate goal. I don’t know if they felt pressured today. Honestly, they looked pretty calm, cool, and collected to me. Now I think we just go, enjoy the moment, and have fun.”
Midland hit .297 with 43 kills, paced by setters Brena Mackling and Jaysa Wentzlaff. Mackling tallied 20 assists, while Wentzlaff added 12 as the Warriors posted one of their most efficient offensive outings of the season.
Brooklynn Snyder led the attack with 10 kills. Abree Plueger and Jones each added seven, and Abby Spidle finished with five.
Defensively, the Warriors recorded five team blocks. Cameran Jansky led the front line with a solo block and two block assists. In the back row, Claire Johnson collected a team-high 11 digs, followed by Tori Walker with seven and Delainey Cast with six.
At the service line, Midland finished with seven aces. Plueger, Wentzlaff, and Walker each registered two, while Cast added one.
Midland (19-10) advances to the NAIA Women’s Volleyball Championship in Sioux City. The Warriors will learn their pool assignment Sunday afternoon from the national office. Pool play gets underway on Wednesday, December 3, inside the Tyson Events Center.
