Coyotes pull off big win over McPherson
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Kolby Rhoades (in white) powers a ball through the block of McPherson's Kiley Loesch (no.2 in red) as the Coyotes knocked off McPherson in four games

McPherson and Kansas Wesleyan clashed in a key volleyball match on Tuesday night at Muir Gymnasium. It was the Coyotes who came out as the winners, knocking off the Bulldogs 30-21, 24-30, 30-28, 30-27. The win for the Coyotes also shook up the KCAC standings, as Bethel jumped over McPherson into second, based on winning percentage. McPherson is now 10-4 (.714) while Bethel is 9-3 (.750). Wesleyan remains in fourth at 8-4.

McPherson took an early 1-0 lead in the first game, but the Coyotes rallied, sparked by a Kristal Griffeth kill, going on a 6-1 run to take a 6-2 lead before a serve into the net made it 6-3 Coyotes. A big kill from Kolby Rhoades powered another run by Wesleyan that gave them a 14-8. McPherson was then able to run off five straight points to get within two at 15-13, before Rhoades nailed back-to-back kills to put the Coyotes comfortably ahead 16-13. The Coyotes extended their lead to 24-17, forcing a McPherson timeout. The Bulldogs were able to score the first point after the break, but the Coyotes were able to hold on for the 30-21 win.

Game two saw the Coyotes jump out to an early 3-0 lead, but McPherson rallied, using a 4-0 run to take the 4-3 lead. Rhoades tied things at four with a kill, but McPherson was able to get back ahead at 5-4. Both teams went back and forth scoring, with neither being able to build a big league, until the Bulldogs used a 6-1 run to grab a 15-12 lead. The Coyotes were never able to get any closer than three the rest of the way as McPherson won game two 30-24.

Game three was another close affair as the both team battled to take the pivotal 2-1 lead in the match. There were eight ties and eight lead changes until the Coyotes were able to use a 7-2 to take a 26-21 lead. McPherson got back within three at 27-24, and eventually within one at 29-28 before Whitney DuBois hammered down the game point to give the Coyotes the 30-28 win.

Wesleyan (13-10, 8-4) jumped out to a 6-3 lead thanks to back-to-back aces by Rhoades in game four. McPherson was able to rally, and eventually tie the game at 13-13 before Rhoades got a big kill and Wesleyan scored another to take a 15-13 lead. McPherson (13-7, 10-4) then used a 6-1 run to grab a 19-16 lead. Wesleyan came roaring back, going on their own 6-1 run to take a 22-20 lead. McPherson would score three of the next four to go up 24-23, but a 4-0 Wesleyan run would give the Coyotes the lead for good and Kelli Berg was able to finish the match with a rocket to the back right corner.

Rhoades, this week’s KCAC Player of the Week, led the Coyotes with 26 kills while Griffeth added 17, and Sarah Carlson had 10. Landree MacLennan had 54 assists for the Wesleyan tonight. Rhoades led the servers with three aces while DuBois, Berg and Naomi Hobayan had two apiece. Hobayan also added 23 digs, and Melissa Harrington had 11. DuBois led the Wesleyan blockers with two solo blocks and five assisted, while Griffeth had three solos and two assisted.

The Coyotes are back in action on Thursday in Lindsborg to face arch-rival Bethany at 7:00 PM at Hahn Gym.

-- KWU SI --