UWF-Wheeling Jesuit Box Score
UWF-Western Washington Box Score

PENSACOLA, Fla.- Day two of the West Florida Invitational for the No.15 UWF volleyball team did not have the same results from day one. UWF competed against nationally ranked No. 24 Wheeling Jesuit and No.5 Western Washington University and after battling five sets with each team they just barely fell short each time first 3-2 to WJU and then WWU. The Argos finished the tournament going 2-2 overall.

MATCH ONE vs. WJU:

The No.15 UWF volleyball team came out and played terrific volleyball against No. 24 Wheeling Jesuit where the two teams came into the day undefeated from day one and was ready to continue that streak. Set one was just the start of a long match to come where neither team ever had more than a three point lead on the other. WJU won set one 25-23.The Argos answered back to the loss by winning the next two sets 26-24 and 25-23. The Cardinals turned around in set four and wonn 28-26. With already both teams  determined and having played long rallies and sets, they went into set five where Wheeling Jesuit won 15-11 which was the only four point lead in the match.

Senior Nadine Williams had a great match with 20 kills on 53 attempts with only three errors along with 18 digs and 3 total blocks. Williams not only played all around but was able to keep the energy going for the Argos with momentum changing kills along with Mackenzie Chrisman blocks. Chrisman this match built a wall at the net and had 10 total blocks one solo and nine assisted. Brogan Wallin also had a statistically good match with 52 assists, 3 kills on 11 attempts with no errors and 16 digs. Running a 5-1 rotation, playing both front and back row for so many points and sets, Wallin held her composure and kept her team competing.

Junior Jordyn Poppen shared how UWF volleyball competes. "I have a team that has a lot of offensive weapons. We have awesome setter who can put the ball up and I think that being on a team that is filled with so many offensive weapons is super fun."

MATCH TWO vs. WWU:

Last match for No.15 West Florida in the West Florida Invitational and they went head to head with No.5 Western Washington University in another 5 set match. Set one was a rough one from the start for UWF where at one point they were down 19-9. Final score for set one was 25-15 where the Argos tried to fight back, but fell short. Set two is where UWF rallied together to come out with the win 25-21 taking a late lead but then holding it. Set three was a flip of the score in WWU's favor this time 25-21 making it a 2-1 overall score in favor of WWU. Set four was an extended set score where UWF pulled off the comeback 26-24. The deciding fifth set was in UWF's control nearly the whole game where they led until the last few points where No.5 Western Washington was able to come out with the W 15-13.

Redshirt Sophomore Caleigh Morrison was alive at the net the whole time having eight kills on 23 attempts with one error.Alongside Morrison in offensive stats was Junior Poppen with 18 kills on 42 attempts and five errors. On the defensive end, Sophomore Logan Kael was doing all she could ot not let the ball drop with 23 digs followed by both Williams and Taylor Vaneekeren with 15 digs each.

Poppen shares more about the competition and the matches this weekend. "Coach doesn't bring anyone here to play against us who is easy to play. If we went undefeated we wouldn't of had anything to work on and get better and we didn't want to peak this early, so I think that even though we took two tough losses, there are things to work on and things we can get better at so, we can peak as a team when it's important."

The Argos finish the West Florida Invitational 2-2 with some big wins against No. 2 Southwest Minnesota State and No. 7 Regis on day one. UWF will be traveling for their next tournament in Denver, Colorado on Aug. 31st to compete in the Colorado Premiere Challenge over Labor Day weekend.