Posted: Oct 15, 2023

SMC Volleyball Sweeps Entire Weekend

The SMC Volleyball swept all four opponents this weekend in two completely different locations.

On Saturday, the Roadrunners had a big day at the LMC Quad, sweeping the Harper Hawks 25-22, 27-25, and 25-16 and then immediately sweeping the Kuyper Cougars 25-13, 25-6, and 25-22. "We have really been gelling as a team the past two weeks, and I was really pleased to see us keep it rolling today," said Head Coach Jenny Nate. "We knew Harper was going to be a tough match with strong attackers, and we came out blocking like crazy and then putting the ball away offensively which allowed us to control the runs in all three sets. Once we finished that match, we moved on to take down Kuyper in three sets using our entire team for that victory. The depth on our team has really been an asset this year, and we have been able to utilize all of our personnel in a lot of these victories. Our hard work at practice is showing on the court, and we do a great job of having a total focus on the point in front of us set by set. It was a great day, and we look forward to heading to Muskegon tomorrow where we will face Olivet JV and Montcalm."

Leading scorers for Saturday: Josie West 23 points; Nikki Nate 18 points, 4 aces; Emma Beckman 17 points; Sophia Deeds 16 points, 8 aces; Anna Johnson 7 points, 2 aces; Amanda Jones 4 points; Shayla Shears 2 points; Elizabeth Stockdale 1 point

Kills: Nikki Nate 18, Bianca Hobson 17, Josie West 10, Emma Beckman 9, Sophia Deeds 8, Juliette Schroeder 7, Abi Marquis 2, Emilee Demski 1

Blocks: Bianca Hobson 7, Juliette Schroeder 4, Nikki Nate 2, Shayla Shears 2, Sophia Deeds 2, Emma Beckman 2, Abi Marquis 1, Josie West 1

Digs: Josie West 21, Nikki Nate 18, Sophia Deeds 11, Emma Beckman 11, Anna Johnson 8, Amanda Jones 7, Taylor Miller 4, Juliette Schroeder 4, Elizabeth Stockdale 3, Shayla Shears 2, Bianca Hobson 1

Assists: Emma Beckman 32, Anna Johnson 32

Then on Sunday, the team swept its opponents at the Muskegon Jayhawk Invite, beating Montcalm 25-21, 25-13, and 25-14 and beating Olivet JV 25-14, 25-18, and 25-13. "This was an important week and weekend for us," Nate said. "We went 4-0 and in the last 24 hours and and 5-1 on the week (losing only to number one team in the conference, Lansing.) We have played a lot of volleyball this weekend and have done a lot of traveling - and this is part of our strategy to make sure we peak on the court, physically and mentally, as we head into the homestretch of conference play. Our goal was to sweep all the teams we faced this weekend - to truly dominate and win every single set - and we did exactly that. Now, we will use this momentum to prepare tomorrow for Kellogg who we face on Tuesday. It's been so much fun watching this team keep getting stronger and faster day after day and seeing them support each other and represent SMC with determination and grit. They know how to win together, and we are going to keep it rolling."

Leading serving scorers for Sunday: Emma Beckman 19 points, 4 aces; Anna Johnson 16 points, 1 ace; Amanda Jones 16 points, 2 aces ; Nikki Nate 11 points, 4 aces ; Josie west 10 points, 1 ace; Bianca Hobson 5 points, 1 ace.

Kills: Josie West 16, Nikki Nate 14, Bianca Hobson 12, Sophia Deeds 10, Juliette Schroeder 7, Shayla Shears 4, Amanda Jones 2, Abi Marquis 2, Anna Johnson 1

Blocks: Bianca Hobson 9, Nikki Nate 5, Juliette Schroeder 5, Shayla Shears 3, Sophia Deeds 3, Emma Beckman 2

Digs: Amanda Jones 24, Josie West 21, Nikki Nate 17, Emma Beckman 16, Anna Johnson 12, Sophia Deeds 6, Elizabeth Stockdale 6, Taylor Miller 3, Juliette Schroeder 3

Assists: Anna Johnson 31, Emma Beckman 29

The Roadrunners are now 21-9 overall (5-4 in the Western Conference) and face Kellogg at home in the 1st Source Bank Fieldhouse on Tuesday.