RIPON, Wis. – The Red Hawk volleyball team was tripped up in both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday, falling 3-1 against Maranatha Baptist and 3-0 against St. Norbert.
Inesha Wiseman led the way in both matches, totaling 27 kills to clear 100 for the young season.
Ripon and Maranatha Baptist went back and forth for the bulk of the first set before the Red Hawks rattled off the final five points to take a 1-0 lead. The Sabercats answered by jumping out to a 9-3 lead in the second set, but Ripon stormed back to keep it close, falling 26-24 heading into the third set.
The MBU momentum carried over, as the Sabercats opened the third set on a 6-1 run, only to watch the Red Hawks come back with four straight points to make it a one-point game. Maranatha Baptist again pulled away late holding on for the 25-22 victory and taking a 2-1 lead.
Ripon never got the offense going in the final set, as Marantha Baptist cruised to a 25-11 win and forced the Red Hawks to regroup heading into the final match of the weekend. Five different Red Hawks tallied a point in the first set against St. Norbert, but the Green Knights prevailed to the tune of a 25-17 victory.
SNC opened the second set on a 7-1 run before closing out a 25-14 win with five consecutive points. The Green Knights kept the foot on the gas in the final set, closing out the weekend with a 25-15 victory over the Red Hawks.
Ripon returns to play next weekend at the UW-La Crosse Tournament. Action begins on Friday at 3 p.m. against the host school, with a duel against Bethany Luthern set to follow at 5.