Marshall, Mo.–The Statesmen volleyball team will need to wait another night to pick up its first league victory as it fell 3-0 to Missouri Valley in Heart of America Athletic Conference action.

William Penn (3-13, 0-2 Heart) lost by scores of 17-25, 17-25, 15-25.

The visitors played even through the first half of the initial set, but at 13-13, the Vikings (16-5, 1-1 Heart) tallied five straight points and took the 1-0 advantage.

WPU responded well, scoring the first four points of the second round.  Unfortunately, MVC rallied back to lead 8-7.  The navy and gold kept close to tie the score at 11-11, but the hosts reeled off eight in a row and cruised to a decisive lead.

Another good start was recorded by William Penn in the third set as it led 7-6.  The Statesmen were still in contention later, trailing by just one at 16-15.  Missouri Valley had one final run, though, finishing off the night with nine consecutive points.

Savanna Hartman (Sr., Morgan Hill, Calif., Psychology) and Claire Simmons (So., Williamsburg, Iowa, Psychology) each tallied a team-high five kills, while setters Kathleen Steffen (So., Vinton, Iowa, Biology), with 10 assists, and Haley Smith (So., Adrian, Mich., Elementary Education), with seven, guided the offense.

Ashley Miller (So., Kalona, Iowa, Exercise Science) (13 digs) and Nicole Harrison (Sr., San Diego, Calif., Biology) (one solo block, one block assist) topped the defensive effort.

Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Friday to host Benedictine in Heart action at 7 p.m.

Story provided by Wade Steinlage