Moody's day began with a three-set loss to another Division III opponent, Trine University. Trine improved to 19-4 with the win.
It was a case of déjà vu for the Moody Bible Institute women's volleyball team on Saturday in Milwaukee. The Archers upended Mount Mary University on its home court in five sets 26-28, 25-20, 25-21, 22-25, 15-5 for the second time this season, Moody's second victory over their Division III foe in three weeks.
The Archers' exciting win improved their season record to 7-10, giving the team its highest season victory total since 2019. Moody has won three of its last five matches since dedicating the rest of its season to its teammate Joy Marquardt. The sophomore co-captain and middle hitter had to withdraw from school after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, cancer of the lymph nodes. The Archers will be announcing the formation of a Pray for Joy email group this week to provide extensive prayer support for their beloved teammate.
"It was a terrific team effort against an opponent that plays in Division III, two levels above the NCCAA," coach Jeff Smith said. "We were missing two key starters, but everyone stepped up to compensate for their absence. Our defense was locked in, our offense was great, our serving came up big, and our team collectively laid it all on the line point after point. Our energy, focus, teamwork, and tenacity were strong. I'm so proud of how we poured ourselves into shining the light of Jesus and playing for the pride of a teammate that we miss dearly."
Playing on Senior Day to honor three senior players, the host Blue Angels edged out the Archers in a fun back-and-forth opening set 28-26. But Moody quickly bounced back, building a 5-0 lead behind two service aces from junior outside hitter Kiarra Henkel and kills by sophomore middle hitter Abby Clinton and Henkel. Clinton produced a stout all-around performance Saturday on her 20th birthday. (Happy birthday, Abby!)
Mount Mary rallied to take the lead 17-16, but the Archers regrouped and regained the lead for good 18-17 on kills from freshman middle hitter Olivia Reid and freshman outside hitter Grace Vahey off sets from junior setter Hayley Williams and eventually claimed the second set.
Moody pulled away to capture the third set, scoring six of the last eight points to break a 19-19 tie thanks in part to a pair of kills from Henkel and kills by Vahey and Reid that were sparked by solid blocking and back-row defense that continually thwarted the Blue Angels' offensive attack.
Mount Mary rebounded to take a tightly contested fourth set. But Moody responded with one of its best sets of the season. Reid pounded back-to-back kills off quick sets from Williams, and Vahey delivered three consecutive aces to give the Archers a 9-4 lead. Moody stretched its advantage to 11-4 on back-to-back kills from Henkel, and Reid clinched the victory with three straight aces.
"We closed out the match with an outstanding fifth set," Coach Jeff said. "We played with such a great mix of hunger, confidence, determination, and poise. We came out and played as the aggressor in all phases of the game to secure the win."
Moody's defense paved the way to the victory, delivering a season-best 92 digs to largely contain Mount Mary's attack. Vahey (20), Williams (19), freshman defensive specialist Kianna Johnson (15), Henkel (14), and Clinton (12) all reached double figures in digs, and Reid (nine) and sophomore opposite hitter Elli Stuart (three) contributed to the defensive performance. Reid (three blocks), Williams (two), and Clinton (solo block) led the blocking effort in getting numerous touches on attacks to help the back row defenders.
Offensively, Williams (33 assists) adeptly ran the attack, executing a variety of plays that kept the Blue Angels off-balance defensively. She had assistance from Clinton (five assists), Henkel (four), Vahey (four), Reid (three), and Stuart (one). Vahey (21 kills) and Henkel (18 kills, .390 hitting percentage) paced the offense with key contributions from Clinton (seven kills, .375 hitting percentage) and Reid (seven kills). Moody's service game wore down Mount Mary with 18 aces, led by Henkel (six aces), Reid (four), Vahey (four), and Clinton (three).