Yellowjackets Split on Day One of Viking Invitational

Marshall, Mo. - The Graceland University women's volleyball team traveled to Marshall, Mo., to compete in the Viking Invitational. The YellowJackets end day one at the Viking Invitational split, defeating the Hannibal-LaGrange Trojan and falling to the Oklahoma Wesleyan. The YellowJackets are now 1-3 on the season.

Graceland (1-2) vs. Trojans (0-3)

Set 1: Graceland 25 | Trojans 18 

Both teams came out on fire, matching point for point. The Yellowjackets took control of the set with a tie at 14-14. Graceland quickly pushed their lead to 20-15 with a 5-1 scoring run. A kill by Allison Long sealed the set for the Yellowjackets.

Set 2: Graceland 25 | Trojans 13

In set two, Graceland used an attack error by the Trojans and a kill by Rakenzy Pryor to take the set's momentum. GU pushed their advantage to 10 points over the Trojans (20-10) and ended the set.

Set 3: Graceland 25 | Trojans 21

Graceland held the first advantage (4-1) before the Trojans answered back with a 4-1 run of their own. Hannibal got within one point of Graceland (19-18). The Yellowjackets would not fold and finished the match with a sweep.

LEADERS - 

DIGS: Mary Kelly (GU) - 15

KILLS:  Allison Long (GU) - 11

SERVICE ACES: Megan Janok (GU) - 4

BLOCKS: Kaylee Baker (GU) – 3

Graceland (1-3) vs. Eagles (6-0-1)

Set 1: Graceland 25 | Eagles 19

Oklahoma Wesleyan grabbed a 5-3 advantage which was followed by a Graceland 7-2 scoring run. Back-to-back attack errors from the Eagles added to their deficit (23-19). The Yellowjackets hit 0.265 (13 kills in 34 total attempts) and went on to take the set 25-19.

Set 2: Graceland 16 | Eagles 25

Graceland jumped to an early lead (5-2), and the Eagles pushed back to trade the lead (10-10). The Eagles went on a 6-1 run, extending to set point, and gained the final point to even the match.

Set 3: Graceland 21 | Eagles 25

Another strong start for the YellowJackets was key in set three. Both teams pushed for the lead; the Yellowjackets trailed by two and tied at 20-20. The Eagles, however, would win five of the last six points of the set.

Set 4: Graceland 21 | Eagles 25

Both teams carried that momentum into set four, Graceland racing to a quick 13-9 lead. The Eagles turned to make a 5-1 run to tie the score at 14-14. The tide would shift again, but the Eagles would take the last three points to end the match.

LEADERS -

DIGS: Bailey Newsom (OKWU) -20

ASSISTS:  Megan Janok (GU) -35

KILLS:  Allison Long (GU) - 11

SERVICE ACES:  Megan Janok (GU) – 3

BLOCKS: Kaylee Baker (GU) - 2

Up Next:

The YellowJackets will continue their play on day two of the Viking Invitational with a doubleheader against Bethany (Mo.) at 9:00 am and the University of Health Science and Pharmacy at 3:00 pm

-Yellowjackets-