RIPON, Wis. -- The Ripon College volleyball team battled Grinnell College on Saturday afternoon at Weiske Gymnasium, but ultimately fell to the Pioneers, 3-1 (21-25, 17-25, 25-23, 20-25).
The Red Hawks came out strong in the opening set, staying within striking distance throughout the frame. Grinnell eventually pulled away late to take the first set, 25-21.
Ripon continued to battle in the second set, but the Pioneers built an early advantage and held on for a 25-17 victory to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Facing a two-set deficit, the Red Hawks responded in the third set. Ripon hit .265 as a team in the frame, its best attacking percentage of the afternoon, and held off Grinnell, 25-23, to extend the match.
The Pioneers answered in the fourth set, taking a 25-20 decision to secure the four-set victory.
Junior Makenna Harren (Rosemount, Minn., Rosemount HS) led the Red Hawks offensively with 10 kills on 22 attacks, hitting .318, while adding two service aces, two solo blocks and one block assist for 14.5 points. Sophomore Addi Johnson (Milwaukee, Wis., Wisconsin Lutheran HS) followed with 11 kills, while sophomore Brooklyn Tranberg (Milwaukee, Wis., Wisconsin Lutheran HS) added 10 kills and 17 digs.
Sophomore Mattea Jacobson (Saint Croix Falls, Wis., Saint Croix Falls HS) turned in an all-around performance with seven kills on 12 attacks for a .500 hitting percentage. She also recorded a team-high 29 assists, two block assists and 12 digs. Sophomore Bryn Carlson (Green Lake, Wis., Ripon HS) led the defensive effort with 18 digs, while Tranberg's 17 digs ranked second on the team.
As a team, Ripon finished with 45 kills and 34 assists while recording 62 digs. The Red Hawks also totaled eight block assists and six service aces.
With the loss, Ripon moves to 5-13 overall and 0-2 in Midwest Conference play. The Red Hawks will return to action on Friday, Oct 9, traveling to Beloit College for a 7pm Midwest Conference matchup.
