Volleyball sweeps through opponents
A perfect invitational helps WSU stay atop the Pac-12 standings
COURTESY OF WSU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Senior outside hitter Taylor Mims recorded her 1,000 career kill in a three set victory over Stony Brook on Saturday.
September 11, 2017
Cougar volleyball (8-1), led by Head Coach Jen Greeny, traveled across the country to participate in the Fairfield University Tournament. They entered the series with a 5-1 record after picking up three home wins last weekend.
WSU began the tournament by sweeping New Hampshire (2-8), outscoring them 75-50. Junior outside hitter Taylor Mims led the Cougs with 11 kills while redshirt sophomore middle blocker Jocelyn Urias had seven blocks and a career-high three aces.
“Overall, I thought we did a pretty good job. I thought our serving was solid and did a pretty good job blocking but definitely need to be not so streaky,” Greeny said. “It was hard to get something going in that second set and we need to be more consistent going forward.”
WSU then swept Fairfield University (4-6) with a total score of 75-57. Junior outside hitter McKenna Woodford led the Cougs with 11 kills, and senior opposite Casey Schoenlein added nine kills along with Mims. Overall, the Cougs had a .322 hitting percentage while they held Fairfield to .128.
Greeny took time after the game to highlight the performance of junior middle blocker and opposite Claire Martin.
“Claire Martin, hitting .571, did a really nice job taking care of the ball,” Greeny said. “That was good to see and hopefully she can carry this confidence over to tomorrow night.”
WSU played Fairfield, and again swept the home team by a score of 79-58. Mims had a career-high 17 kills that led the team. Woodford added 15 kills of her own and finished with a .357 hitting percentage for the game. This was Greeny’s 99th win as Head Coach for WSU.
Schoenlein left the game in the first set with a leg injury and did not return. She was replaced by freshman outside hitter Savanah Smith.
“I think we settled down, and Savanah Smith did a nice job adjusting to that, especially as a freshman,” Greeny said.
The Cougars next game will commence at 9 a.m. Friday against Tennessee State to kick off the Missouri State Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational. They will face three teams over the span of two days.
