Vikings Move On to Conference Semifinals, Defeat MidAmerica Nazarene

Women’s Volleyball | Sat, Nov. 6, 2021

Des Moines, IA – The Grand View women’s volleyball team began its quest for a conference championship on Saturday afternoon and started on the right foot. The Vikings opened up the Heart of America Conference Tournament with a win over MidAmerica Nazarene University in four sets, 25-27, 25-16, 25-20 and 25-20.

Set 1: Grand View University 25 l MidAmerica Nazarene University 27

Grand View was able to get off to a great start to begin the match winning the first five points behind two kills from Alexa Aldrich-Ingram (SR/Iowa City, IA). The two squads then battled it out through the middle stage of the set coming to a 15-15 draw. A scoring run by MidAmerica saw the Pioneers gain a slight advantage on the scoreboard, but Grand View fought back to draw within one at 23-24. After another Aldrich-Ingram kill tied it at 25-25, MidAmerica took the next two points to win the first set.

Set 2: Grand View University 25 l MidAmerica Nazarene University 16

Coming off a tough dropped first set, the Vikings came out in set two on fire and scored the first nine points. The Vikings offense was being fed through Aldrich-Ingram and Lauren Bair (SR/Braddyville, IA) as each player registered three kills over the opening stretch. Grand View stayed in control for the rest of the set never letting MidAmerica coming within six points. Again, it was the duo of Aldrich-Ingram and Bair to close out the set on a 3-0 scoring run.

Set 3: Grand View University 25 l MidAmerica Nazarene University 20

The third set saw the Vikings have to fight from behind as they faced a 13-10 deficit early. Two key 3-0 scoring spurts by Grand View, largely led by Jenna Wagemester (SR/Cedar Rapids, IA), allowed for the Vikings to finally take the lead at 18-16 and forced a timeout from MidAmerica. Grand View was able to capitalize on three-consecutive miscues by the Pioneers and won the third set.

Set 4: Grand View University 25 l MidAmerica Nazarene University 20

In set four, the Vikings started out with an early 9-3 lead as Taylor Carey (SR/Waukee, IA) capped off 5-0 scoring streak. MidAmerica wouldn’t back down, however, as they made it one-point set at the 18-17 mark. After taking a timeout, Grand View decided to let the game flow through Wagemester as she secured the match with a 3-0 personal scoring run.

Key Players…

Four Vikings totaled double-digit kills on offense during the match. Jenna Wagemester led with 22, Alexa…