MADISON, WISC. - In need of a fresh start after an extremely challenging first 16 matches of the 2019 season, the Madison College women's volleyball team began the season's second half with a three-set sweep of in-state foe Bryant & Stratton College on Wednesday at H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium. A dramatic first set saw the WolfPack hold off the Bobcats in extra points to win 27-25, which propelled the home team to set victories of 25-16 and 25-13 to take the match. Madison College is now 2-0 all-time against Bryant & Stratton College (7-6), having yet to drop a set in back-to-back years.

The teams battled throughout the first set, which included a early five-point rally that gave the WolfPack a 12-8 advantage and was immediately wiped away by four straight points for the Bobcats. As the team's exchanged points, Madison College took advantage of service aces from Sage Esser and Amelia Walton, as well as solo blocks by Calla Borchert and Sidni Walgurski, to earn three consecutive set point opportunities before a B&S hitting error ended set one. The momentum carried over into a fast start in set two as the home team took an early 7-1 lead, and maintained a five-point edge the rest of the way. Set three turned when Madison College broke open a 4-4 score with eight straight points to take full control and cruise to the match win. 



Madison College improved their attack numbers throughout the match, posting 14 kills in each of the last two sets en route to 36 overall and watching their hitting percentage rise from .100 in the first set to .500 in the finale. The WolfPack also amassed four aces, six blocks, 25 assists, and 44 digs.

Freshman middle blocker Calla Borchert paced the 'Pack attack with 11 kills, a number she has reach on three occasions this fall. The trio of Walgurski, Olivia Marron, and Cathleen Flannery each had six kills, while Samantha Kessenich tallied four. Walgurski, who had a team-leading three blocks in the match, also led the front row with a .556 hitting efficiency. Marron also added some tremendous defense with a team-best dozen digs, which matched the effort of fellow sophomore and libero Sage Esser. The Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, native, now boasts six double-digit dig performances this season. She also served up a team-best two aces. First year setters Lena La Fleur and Kaleia Lawrence each registered nine assists, while Skyler Salter added five.

Up Next:

Madison College (5-12, 1-1) begins a two-game road swing with a second consecutive in-state rivalry match when they play at Milwaukee Area Technical College (5-4, 0-2) for a North Central Community College Conference tilt on Thursday, September 12. The WolfPack have dominated the series of late, winning 22 consecutive matches dating back to 2009. The all-time series stands at 87-29-3 in favor of Madison College. First serve at Reinman Gymnasium on the campus of Alverno College is set for 7:00 p.m.

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