December 26, 2024

Spartans struggle against No. 3 Kirkwood

By CHEYENNE ROCHE
Sophomore libero Emily Strait lunges for a dig. Strait logged 16 digs on the night. She is one of three sophomores who were honored last Wednesday in their final bout of the season.

Sophomore libero Emily Strait lunges for a dig. Strait logged 16 digs on the night. She is one of three sophomores who were honored last Wednesday in their final bout of the season. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

In defeating the Southwestern Spartans 3-0 last Wednesday, the Kirkwood Eagles closed out ICCAC play 11-0.

The Eagles had already locked up the No. 1 seed in the ICCAC Region 11 tournament before the win.

The Eagles made quick work of the 6-27 Spartans, winning the sets 25-3, 25-7 and 25-17 in a final set where the Kirkwood starters primarily sat out.

Freshman Skyelar Lawal puts up a tip against Kirkwood. Lawall had five kills and a block in the 3-0 loss.

Freshman Skyelar Lawal puts up a tip against Kirkwood. Lawall had five kills and a block in the 3-0 loss. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

Two 9-point Eagles scoring runs in game one made it a runaway game.

Kirkwood’s Emma Meester led with a game-high 13 kills.

The Spartans were led by Whitney Hollins and Skyelar Lawal at the net. Hollins logged six kills while Lawal had five kills and a block.

Ruby Hernandez Clavell led with seven assists for the Spartans while libero Emily Strait had a team-high 16 digs.

The game was the final for the Spartans and rounded out the career for three sophomores. Beatriz Goncalves, who sat the season out with a torn ACL, Strait and Sophie Lyle will all be graduating this season while the Spartans hope to return eight freshman for next year.

Cheyenne Roche

CHEYENNE ROCHE

Originally from Wisconsin, Cheyenne has a journalism and political science degree from UW-Eau Claire and a passion for reading and learning. She lives in Creston with her husband and their two little dogs.