Ripon College Athletics

RIPON, Wis. -- Red Hawks volleyball (2-9, 0-0 MWC) split their opening games at the 2026 Red Hawks Invitational, falling in three sets to Wisconsin Lutheran (4-6, 0-0 NACC) before defeating Hamline University (2-8, 0-0 MIAC).

Game one against the Warriors opened in a tough way for the Red Hawks. WLC came out firing, scoring kills on seven of the opening eight points, carving their way to an eventual 17-4 lead as the set went on. Ripon found some points late, scoring a short run on libero Bryn Carlson (Green Lake, Wis., Ripon HS)'s serve, but still fell in the opening set 25-14. Ripon found their footing at the start of the second, staying even with WLC until the 8-10 point, where another series of Warriors' kills moved the line to 17-9 against the hosts. Ripon fought their way through the late points, helped by offense from Makenna Harren (Rosemount, Minn., Rosemount HS) and Hannah Michaels (Waukesha, Wis., Waukesha North HS), but again WLC earned the set, 25-19. The third set saw the Red Hawks play their best of the opening match, taking a lead 15-13 over the visitors behind strong serving from Brooklyn Tranberg (Milwaukee, Wis., Wisconsin Lutheran HS). Ripon earned a look at extending the match, serving for the set up 24-21, but three Warriors kills, aided by two aces, finished the opening match 26-24 against the Red Hawks.

Ripon learned quickly from the loss, heading into the second game fired up and ready to show it. Ripon played some of their best volleyball of the season, winning 16 of the opening 17 points of the match behind the serves of Carlson and Tranberg to take a commanding lead over the Pipers. While Hamline did manage some signs of life after the suffocating start, Ripon cruised to a 25-14 opening set win. The second set included stronger resistance from Hamline, with Ripon earning a 16-9 lead halfway through proceedings. The Pipers managed to fight back, bringing the score within three at 23-20, but a kill from Michaels and a block from Harren gave Ripon a two set advantage, 25-20. The final set seemed even early, with the teams trading blows to a 12-12 scoreline, but Ripon again managed a strong run, collecting eight of nine points to take a 19-13 lead. Michaels scored the final kill of the day, giving Ripon a 25-18 win in the third set to close the match. 

Harren and Tranberg each had strong games against Hamline, with Harren notching 8 kills on .333 hitting, and Tranberg recording 11 on .308 hitting. Setter Mattea Jacobson (Saint Croix Falls, Wis., Saint Croix Falls HS) also proved vital, earning 34 assists alongside 3 kills on .273 hitting. 

Ripon volleyball returns to action for day two of the Red Hawks Invitational tomorrow, taking on Mount Mary University and UW-Stout. The Blue Angels enter the game 2-11, while the Blue Devils carry a 7-3 record.