LIBERTY, Mo. - The William Jewell volleyball team fell 3-0 to (RV) Winona State in the 2024 season opener on Thursday night. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cardinals started strong, taking an early 6-4 lead after a kill from Caroline Beckmann before Winona State went on an 11-2 run to open up a nine point lead. Back-to-back kills from Madison Grekstas ended the skid as Jewell pulled back with four, 18-14. The Warriors closed the set by outscoring the Cards 7-4 to win 25-18. 
• The teams traded points in the early part of the second set as a service ace gave WSU a 9-8 advantage. A quick 4-0 run by the Cardinals, led by two kills from Bella LaPorta got Jewell back in things but the Warriors finished off the set 25-18. 
• Jewell came out of the break firing, taking a 9-4 lead after a block from Beckmann and Macy Bartlett. Winona State followed with a 9-0 run but Grekstas recorded four straight kills with Katy Garrison adding one to put the Cardinals back on top. Trailing the 20-16 late, Jewell made a quick 6-3 run to pull within one but back-to-back kills gave WSU the set 25-22. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Jewell held the Warriors to a .202 attack percentage but hit just. 100 on the night. LaPorta and Grekstas each had eight kills to lead the way. LaPorta added a double-double with a team-high 19 digs. 
• Garrison and Beckmann finished with three blocks a piece while Samantha Thompson had 10 assists. 

UP NEXT
The Cardinals have a short turnaround as they are back in action at 10 a.m. on Friday against Sioux Falls followed by a match up with Emporia State at 5 p.m.