ST. PAUL, Minn. — Hamline University faced two challenging opponents on Saturday during the Saint Paul Classic, losing both matches. The Pipers first fell to Central (IA) 3-0 before facing Simpson and losing again by the same scoreline.
In the match against Central (IA), Hamline recorded 21 kills and a hitting percentage of .059, while Central (IA) achieved 35 kills with a hitting percentage of .244. Central (IA) dominated the opening set, taking it 25-12 with a 10-4 edge in kills, bolstered by three service aces. The Pipers managed one block and four kills before Central (IA) closed out the set with the final four points.
The second set saw Central (IA) winning 25-19, leading with 13-9 in kills. Hamline's
Sophia Johnson contributed four kills, and
Cameryn Sand delivered two service aces, including back-to-back aces that narrowed the gap to 11-10 after an earlier run from 8-3 to 9-7.
In a closer third set, the Pipers served four aces, including contributions from
Ava Montanez and
Claire Siems that flipped a 5-4 deficit into a 9-6 lead. However, Central (IA) clinched the set 25-23, with pivotal kills from Maelyn Wainwright and Paige Sexton to finish the match after the Pipers tied it at 23.
The Pipers then faced Simpson, finishing with 28 kills and a hitting percentage of .089, while Simpson amassed 41 kills with a .287 hitting percentage. In the first set, Hamline saw four kills apiece from
Lexi Helmin and Makenzie Sloan (for Simpson), but Simpson maintained a 14-11 kill edge, winning the set 25-19 after a six-point run turned a tight match into a comfortable lead.
The second set ended 25-18 in favor of Simpson, who had a 15-9 advantage in kills and scored five points on blocks. Notably,
Cameryn Sand served four straight points, including two aces, helping narrow a deficit from 11-5 to 11-9.
Simpson concluded the match with a 25-19 victory in the third set, capitalizing on fewer attack errors, finishing with a 12-8 kill advantage. Sand assisted on seven of Hamline's eight kills during this set.
Following these matches, Hamline's record stands at 2-6 overall, while Central (IA) improves to 4-3, and Simpson moves to 5-2.
Up next, the Pipers will face University of Wisconsin-Stout on Friday, Sept. 18, at 5 p.m. in Ripon, Wisconsin.
