APPLETON, Wis. - The Ripon volleyball team clinched a spot in the 2015 Midwest Conference Tournament Saturday afternoon, easily defeating Lawrence University in three sets. The Red Hawks won the first set 25-15, before winning the next two, 25-11 and 25-19. That marks the second time in three years the Red Hawks have advanced to the MWC Tournament and extends their winning streak to four matches, while keeping them alive for hosting rights for the conference tourney with two matches left in the regular season.

Ripon (10-12, 7-1 MWC) never trailed in Saturday's match, recording a team hitting percentage of .294, and posting at least 12 kills in all three sets. Allison Barnes led the way for the Red Hawks with a match-high 17 kills, to go along with six digs and a hitting percentage of .412. Emily Gary added nine kills, while Katie Berrell and Paige Buddenhagen each finished with seven. Stacie Klika led the team with 15 digs, while Courtney Bloomer and Maddie Koster each recorded a match-high two service aces. Abbi Williamson posted 36 assists, giving her 2,702 for her career, which is just 25 shy of breaking Ripon's career record, which is held by Ashley Rouse (2000-02).

Lawrence (8-17, 6-3 MWC) was led by Megan Conley's nine kills. Lauren Ray added 11 assists and 10 digs, while Sydney Nelson led the Vikings in assists (13) and Katie Kumbelek was tops on the team in digs (11).

The Red Hawks currently sit in second place in the MWC standings, just one-half game behind defending conference champion Cornell College, which also has one conference loss. Ripon will try to keep rolling on Friday when they'll host Beloit College. That match will begin at 7 p.m. at Storzer Center in Ripon and will also be Senior Night, honoring Barnes, Bloomer, Gary, and Kelli Walsh.