RIPON, Wis. -- Day two of the Ripon College Classic saw the Red Hawks fall to UW-Superior before rallying in the afternoon with a four-set victory of Emmaus University.

Game 1

Ripon started strong against UW-Superior, using a balanced attack to take the first set 25-14. Sophomore Makenna Harren (Rosemount, Minn., Rosemount HS) powered the Red Hawks early, putting down four kills in the opener to set the tone. The Yellowjackets answered in set two, edging the Red Hawks in a back-and-forth battle. Harren and freshman Addi Johnson (Menasha, Wis., Menasha HS) each tallied four kills to keep the Red Hawks close, but Superior held on late for a 25-23 win to even the match. 

Momentum stayed with the visitors in set three, as Superior capitalized on errors to build a lead and finish 25-17. Looking to extend the match, Ripon fought in the fourth set behind strong swings from Senior Lainie Heizler (Princeton, Ill., Princeton HS) and Johnson, who each posted three kills in the frame. Despite the effort, the Yellowjackets closed on a late run to secure the 25-18 win and the match.

Game 2

Emmaus University claimed the opener 25-20 despite an early push from Ripon. Junior Haylee Kast (Reedsburg, Wis., Reedsburg Area HS), Harren, and Sophomore Hannah Michaels (Waukesha, Wis., Waukesha North HS) each registered two kills in the set, keeping the Red Hawks within striking distance throughout. Ripon responded emphatically in the second, riding a dominant stretch from Kast, who recorded five kills in the set. The Red Hawks took control midway through and ran away with a 25-11 victory to even the match.

Ripon carried that momentum into the third, as Heizler sparked the offense with five kills. Balanced defense and efficient attacking allowed the Red Hawks to maintain their lead and finish off the set 25-17 for a 2-1 advantage. The Red Hawks left no doubt in the fourth, storming ahead early and never looking back. Behind a steady attack and strong serving, Ripon rolled to a 25-10 win to close out the match in four sets.

Up Next

Ripon returns to action next weekend, starting Aug 5, for the Raider Invite at the Kern Center in Milwaukee, Wis. The Red Hawks play Maranatha Baptist University. 

All-Tournament Team

All-Tournament team for the Ripon College Classic is as follows: 

Aurora University:  
#3 Trinity Nelson, setter
# Izabella Kowalczyk, RS

St. Mary's University:
#25 Kali Olson, MB

UW-Superior:
#13 Makenna Hohbein, OH

Ripon College:
#20 Makenna Harren, OH

Martin Luther College:
#13 Lydia Fiedt, MB

Emmaus University:
#9 Selah Gregory, RS