Dillon Hogan/ Winonan
After going undefeated the previous weekend in Michigan, the Winona State University’s volleyball team hit the road again and traveled to Quincy, Ill. to play Quincy University and Lewis University.
Following the previous weekend’s tournament, the Warriors brought a perfect 4-0 record into the match ups.
In the first matchup against Quincy, the Warriors continued their high level of play and coasted to a straight set victory to keep the perfect record alive at 5-0.
The 5-0 record is the best start for any Winona State volleyball team since the start of the 1992 season.
The Warriors took down Quincy by scores of 25-19, 25-19 and 25-19.
A young lineup for the Warriors consisted of two sophomores and five freshmen. Freshman Danielle Rampart was the Warrior’s leader with 12 kills and was the only player from either squad to notch double-digit kills.
Right behind Rampart was Taylor Goar with eight kills and Mckenna Larsen who turned in seven kills. In her other role on the team, Larsen turned in a performance of 33 assists, the highest total for either team.
Defensively, the Warriors had three players record double-digit digs. Jamie Cairncross led the charge with 22 digs, while Goar had 12 and Kalyn Biever had 11 of her own.
During the second day in Illinois, the Warriors’ perfect season came to an end at the hands of Lewis University. The match went back and forth between the two teams until Lewis was able to secure the victory in five sets. Defensively, Cairncross led the Warriors again, contributing 29 digs.
Again, the freshman stepped up for the Warriors to keep the team in the game. Rampart recorded 24 kills and 22 digs in the game. Right behind Rampart was Goar with 18 kills and 20 digs.
Rampart’s efforts put her in the Winona State record books. The 24 kills were good enough for 12th place in the all-time list for single game kills.
Larsen, for her part, doled out 57 assists all while adding 13 digs as well.
The Warriors ended their non conference portion of the season with a 5-1 record and now look to begin regular season conference play next week.
To begin the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference season, the Warriors will host Upper Iowa University at 7 p.m. on Sept. 16 in the McCown Gymnasium.
Two more home games follow in the week against Minot State at 7 p.m. on Sept. 19 and against the University of Mary at 4 p.m. on Sept. 20. The game against Upper Iowa marks a four game home stand for the Warriors, with games against Minot State, University of Mary and Minnesota State to follow.
