SAINT PAUL, Minn. —The Hamline University women's volleyball team  fell to UW-Superior 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 27-25, 13-25, 15-13), and Wartburg 3-1 (24-26, 25-17, 25-17, 25-14) on day two of the St. Paul Tournament at Hutton Arena on Saturday. All six of Hamline's matches thus far into 2025 have been more than three sets.

The Pipers fall to 1-5. Superior improves to 4-3, while Wartburg moves to 4-1.

UW-Superior 3, Hamline 2  (25-22, 21-25, 27-25, 13-25, 15-13)

In the first match against the Superior, Hamline rallied from a 7-1 deficit in the first set to take a brief 15-12 lead, aided by Claire Kaups' service ace and Sophia Johnson's kills. However, the Yellowjackets' Sydney Smith and Makenna Hohbein led a comeback, and a decisive service ace by Savanna Hering helped the visitors close out the set at 25-22.

The Pipers secured the second set 25-21, showcasing effective teamwork. with Bathurst contributing three critical points and Helmin adding two key blocks. Cameryn Sand facilitated the attack with numerous assists, while Johnson's blocking helped curb the Yellowjackets' attempts to rally.

Set three was tightly contested, with Hamline falling to the Yellowjackets 27-25 despite contributions from Johnson and Kaups. Sand was instrumental, assisting on numerous occasions and delivering two service aces.

The Pipers dominated set four, closing it out 25-13 as they capitalized on several Yellowjackets' errors. Helmin and Kayli Starkey contributed key kills, and both had service aces, helping Hamline maintain their lead throughout.

The match concluded with a closely fought set five, where Hamline was edged out 15-13. Helmin's two service aces contributed to a 7-2 run that initially set them ahead, but despite their strong effort, they could not hold off a late surge from the Yellowjackets.

Defensively, Starkey recorded 15 digs, alongside three kills and two assists. Mandy Dierks led the defense with 28 digs, while Bathurst recorded 12 kills and four blocks. Sand facilitated the offense with 45 assists and contributed 11 digs. Hohbein led the Yellowjackets with 20 kills and 21.5 points, while Schwirtz stood out with four service aces and 24 assists.

Wartburg 3, Hamline 1 (24-26, 25-17, 25-17, 25-14)

In the second match against Wartburg, Hamline edged the Knights in a tightly contested first set, claiming a 26-24 victory with Johnson leading the offense with four kills. Lexi Helmin contributed a key service ace during a late 4-0 run, while Wartburg struggled with five service errors. However, the Knights bounced back, taking the next three sets 25-17, 25-17, and 25-14. Wartburg capitalized on their strong service game, recording multiple service aces, including two from Anna Sash and four from Sophie Sedgwick in the third set.

Bathurst was a standout for Hamline, leading with nine kills on 15 attempts and a .467 hitting percentage, while also adding four service aces. Cameryn Sand recorded 28 assists, and Mandy Dierks contributed 12 digs. Johnson added 10 kills and two blocks. For Wartburg, Klyn provided a strong offensive performance with 14 kills, while Sedgwick had 24 assists and five service aces.

Up next for the Pipers is the Augustana (Ill.) Tournament in Rock Island, Illinois on September 12-13. They will face MSOE on Friday, September 12 at 5 p.m.