September 11, 2009
Box Game 1 | Box Game 2
Lamoni, IA-The Graceland women's volleyball lost a bitterly contested match against #19 Taylor University Friday to open the GU/Pizza Shack Invitational Tourney, three games to one. Graceland's women rebounded in the nightcap match verses Kansas Wesleyan, bagging the Coyotes in three matches.
The Jackets put up a gritty opposition against the much lauded Trojans, one of three top-25 teams at the Pizza Shack Invitational, but despite some early success were unable to withstand a withering offensive assault from their opponent.
Graceland started the afternoon with vigor, taking the first game convincingly at 25-20. But the initial burst of jubilation quickly subsided as the Taylor women responded with a near exact reversal, winning the second game 25-21. The contest remained closely fought, with Graceland forcing extra play in the third game. But despite the gutsy rally by the Jackets, Taylor managed to edge past their hosts, 27-25. Trailing 2-1, Graceland was unable to keep up with the Trojan attack in the match game, which their opponent took handily, 25-16.
"It's super for us to play a Top 25 team and play well," said Coach Stew McDole of his team's effort. "I felt we were in the match and had our chances. Hopefully our performance will be a step to raising our own level of play," he added.
Graceland vindicated Coach McDole's faith in their second game of the tournament, stinging the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes, who finished the evening with two losses on the day (the first coming at the hands of Missouri Baptist 3-0). The Jackets remained firmly in control the entire match, holding their opponents to scores of 25-13, 25-19 and 25-20 in the three games of the contest.
The Coyotes could not compete with a Graceland team hungry to redeem themselves over the earlier loss, and the hosts cleaned house with their typical Yellowjacket efficiency. Graceland heads into the second day of play 1-1, but with the momentum of a victory at their backs.
Graceland continues tomorrow, as the GU-Pizza Shack Invitational resumes at 9:00am and the Jackets play Culver Stockton to start the morning off. Stay tuned to the Jacket athletics website for continuing coverage of the women's volleyball team and all of Jacket athletics.
For More Information on Graceland University Athletics Contact:
Matt Shelton, Sports Information Director
(641) 784-5318
mshelton@graceland.edu
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