Luther Defeats Simpson - Does Not Make the IIAC Tournament
Oct. 30, 2007
Luther leveled its overall record this evening after posting an impressive 3-1 victory over Simpson College here in the Regents Center. The Norse posted game scores of 34-32, 30-23, 24-30 and 30-23. The win gives the Norse an Iowa Conference mark of 3-5, 15-15 overall. The victory was also the first over the Storm since 1999 and snapped a string of nine consecutive losses in the series.
Leah Sikora and Abby Lahr led the offensive attack with 13 and 11 kills respectively. Setters Molly Morrissey and Heather Hoffman dished out 39 of Luther's 41 assists. Morrissey was credited with 21 and Hoffman 18. Morrissey and Sikora led the team with three ace serves each. Grayce Hamlin tallied 21 digs from her libero position.
Simpson, who had already made the six-team IIAC Tournament field, fell to 4-4 in the IIAC, 19-13 overall. The Storm trio of Amy Schuster (14), Jayna Fischbach (12) and Amanda Norelius (10) paced the offensive attack.
Unfortunately, the victory was bitter sweet. The Norse entered tonight's match needing the combination of a victory over Simpson, plus a Dubuque victory over Buena Vista this evening , to make the six-team IIAC Tournament. Buena Vista defeated Dubuque 3-1 in Storm Lake this evening. Both Buena Vista and Luther finished 3-5 in the IIAC, but the Beavers defeated the Norse here in Decorah 3-2 and won the tie-breaker to make the tournament field.
