WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS - The William Jewell volleyball team opened the 2025 season on Friday at the Midwestern State Invitational. The Cardinals fell 3-0 to Newman University to open the day before dropping a straight set contest to the hosts.
vs. NEWMAN (3-0, Loss)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening set of the season was back-and-forth early with neither team leading by more than three. Tailing midway through, the Cardinals got a kill by
Sarah Madsen and an
Alexis Nunn ace to pull ahead, 17-16 but the Jets rallied to take a 22-19 lead.
Emma Lea Benney snapped the run but Newman finished off the opener 25-21.
Newman started the second frame hot, jumping out to a 10-1 advantage and forcing two early timeouts from head coach
Joe Adams. The Cardinals chipped away, scoring four straight points behind kills from Madsen and Benney to pull back within five. NU followed with a 13-3 run to close out set two, 25-10.
Jewell looked strong in the early part of set three, grabbing an 8-4 lead behind two kills from
Caroline Beckmann. The Jets responded with a run to knot things up at 10-all but the Cardinals followed by scoring seven of the next eight points to open up a 17-11 advantage. Leading 22-19 late, the Cardinals could not close out the set, committing five errors that led to Newman's rally to win 25-22.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Cardinals were limited to a .115 attack percentage while Newman hit at a .286 clip, including a blistering .476 in the second set.
- Benney led Jewell with nine kills while Beckmann had seven on a .545 attack percentage.
- Madison Roney finished with a team high 13 digs while Olivia Starr had 10 assists.
vs. MIDWESTERN STATE (3-0, Loss)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The hosts, Midwestern State, went on a mid-set run outscoring the Cardinals 13-3 to take a commanding lead and rolling to a 25-12 win.
Jewell held the early advantage in set two as a kill by Madsen made it 10-7, Cardinals. The Wolves rallied to go in front 18-14 and finished by winning the final six points of the frame.
While Jewell stayed within striking distance in the finale, the Wolves held the advantage, winning 25-16.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Jewell was held to an attack percentage of just .081 but out blocked MSU, 5-3.
- Benney and Macy Bartlett had a team high seven kills apiece with Starr and Alexis Frazier handing out 11 assists.
- Three Cardinals finished with double digit digs, led by Benney's 17.
- Emily Brannan had a team high five blocks.
UP NEXT
Jewell will wrap up the Invitational on Saturday, taking on Southeastern Oklahoma State at 9 a.m. followed by Oklahoma Christian at 1 p.m.
