Simpson secures ninth win in home debut

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- The Simpson College women's volleyball team opened its home slate with a 3-1 victory over Grinnell on Wednesday night inside Cowles Fieldhouse.

The two teams split the opening frames with matching 25-18 scores, as the Storm (9-2) took the first behind five service aces and three kills apiece from Jada Schmidt, Caroline Kinkeade, and Peyton Mitchell. After dropping the second, Simpson caught fire in the third, hitting .346 with five more aces to grab a 25-17 victory and a 2-1 edge in the match. The Storm closed the door in set four, using timely kills and another strong serving run to finish off the Pioneers (4-8) 25-19.

Simpson finished with 50 kills to Grinnell's 39, doubled up the visitors in aces (14-7), and held an 8-2 advantage at the net in blocks.

STARS OF THE SHOW

• Peyton Mitchell: 12 kills (.375), 5 blocks
• Morgan DenBeste: 10 kills (.346), 15 assists, 14 digs, 7 aces
• Jada Schmidt: 10 kills, 5 digs, 3 blocks
• Caroline Kinkeade: 6 kills (.500), 2 blocks
• Lauren Dockendorff: 20 assists, 10 digs
• Maddie Dunham: 18 digs

UP NEXT
Simpson plays a trio of games in St. Louis, Mo. this weekend. The Storm will face Webster on Friday night followed by Concordia Wisconsin and WashU on Saturday.