LIBERTY, Mo. - The William Jewell volleyball team took one set from Illinois Springfield on Saturday but fell 3-1 on Senior Day. The Cardinals drop to 7-19 overall and 1-8 in conference action. Jewell honored five seniors, Katy Garrison, Lauren Harrell, Samantha Thompson, McKinzie Thompson, and Bella LaPorta, prior to first serve. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jewell came out fast, scoring the first five points behind Samantha Thompson's serve but the Stars came right back to go in front 13-10 midway through. Trailing 21-15 late, the Cardinals went on a 7-3 run to pull within two, staving off three set points, until a kill from UIS' Carly Michels gave the Stars the set, 25-22. 
• After falling into a 17-6 hole to start set two, the Cardinals made things interesting late. On set point, Jewell scored four straight points on kills from Madison Grekstas and Caroline Beckmann to pull within 24-18. UIS got a kill by Eirini Glynou to win it 25-18.
• The Prairie Stars took a 17-11 lead to open set three before Jewell made another furious comeback, going on a 9-2 run to take a 20-19 lead after a Beckmann kill. Both teams traded points until the Cardinals got three straight kills from Garrison and LaPorta to win 26-24 and extend the match. 
• UIS grabbed a 21-11 in set four as Jewell could not recover, falling 25-14 and 3-1. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Jewell hit .179 on the day, compared to .274 by the Stars. LaPorta led all players with 23 kills on a .385 attack percentage while also grabbing a team high 18 digs. 
• Beckmann had 10 kills and four blocks while Garrison added nine and a team best six rejections. 
• Samantha Thompson handed out 29 assists and had 10 digs. 

UP NEXT
Jewell hits the road for their final three matches of the season beginning Friday with a stop at Drury University.