RIPON, Wis. -- The second day of the 2025 Red Hawks Invitational saw the hosts battle hard but ultimately drop both matches, falling to Central (Iowa) and Westminster (Mis.) in four sets each inside Weiske Gymnasium.

Game 1

Ripon opened the day against Central College, with the Dutch controlling the first set 25-18 despite a strong start from senior Lainie Heizler (Park Falls, Wis., Chequamegon HS) and sophomore Makenna Harren (Rosemount, Minn., Rosemount HS), who each tallied three kills in the frame. The Red Hawks bounced back in the second, taking control midway through as freshman Addi Johnson (Milwaukee, Wis., Wisconsin Lutheran HS) led the charge with three kills and senior Michaela Riege (Waterloo, Wis., Bryant & Stratton College) added two service aces to even at one set apiece.

Central responded in set three, using a late run to break open a tight frame despite five kills from Harren and seven digs from Riege. The Dutch closed the match in the fourth, taking advantage of several Ripon miscues to secure the 3-1 victory. Harren finished with 12 kills, Johnson added 11, and Heizler chipped in seven, while Riege anchored the defense with 21 digs.

Game 2

The Red Hawks came out strong in their second match of the day against Westminster, claiming the opening set 25-21 behind a balanced attack led by Heizler and junior Haylee Kast (Reedsburg, Wis., Reedsburg Area HS), who each recorded four kills in the opener. Heizler also dominated from the service line with three aces, while Riege and senior Samantha Differt (Sturgeon Bay, Wis., Sevastopol HS) combined for eight digs.

Westminster answered quickly, taking the next two sets behind an efficient offense despite efforts from Harren, Kast, and Heizler. In the fourth, Ripon fought to extend the match behind three kills from Heizler and Kast, with senior Emily Braun (Juneau, Wis., Dodgeland HS) adding seven assists and Differt serving up an ace. The Red Hawks kept it close, but Westminster capitalized late to close out the match 25-17.

Kast led Ripon with 12 kills in the match, while Heizler and Harren each posted eight. Braun set the tone offensively with 27 assists, and Riege anchored the defense with 11 digs.

Up Next

Ripon will look to rebound Friday, Sept 19, when they travel to face Marian University in nonconference action at 6:30 pm.