Volleyball Splits with Nationally Recognized Teams

Doane Volleyball played two matches in Kansas on Saturday, taking on a pair of teams receiving votes in the latest NAIA national poll. In the opening match, the Tigers rallied to defeat Saint Mary (Kan.) in five sets. The closing match went to Ottawa (Kan.) in four sets.

The opening set of the day went to Doane before Saint Mary took the next two sets to gain the lead in the match. The Tigers closed out the match by taking the final two sets to win 27-25, 19-25, 17-25, 26-24, and 15-8.

Taylor Sluka (SO/Lincoln, Neb.) posted a career-high 25 kills to lead the offensive attack. Kirsten Bures (SR/Odell, Neb.) added 11 kills with three coming in the final set. Jaime Renshaw (SR/Sioux Falls, S.D.) dished out 41 assists in the match. MacKenzie Painter (SO/Lincoln, Neb.) had a team-high three ace serves.

Painter led the Tigers' back row defense with 16 kills while Renshaw and Mariah Sliva (FR/Shickley, Neb.) added 13 digs apiece. Doane finished with 9.0 team blocks, led by Sluka with six total blocks.

Ottawa won the final match of the day by scores of 25-17, 25-16, 22-25, and 25-19 over the Tigers. The Braves hit .292 while holding the Tigers to a .169 attack percentage.

Sluka led the Tigers with 18 kills with Simonie Mendenhall (SR/Clancy, Mont.) and Bures posting eight apiece. Renshaw dished out 39 assists. Painter led the team with two ace serves.

Doane finished with 5.0 team blocks with Mendenhall in on three blocks. Painter had a team-high 23 digs, the second-most of her career.

The Tigers will be back at home on Wednesday, September 21, as they take on Hastings at 7:30 PM. The junior varsity contest will start at 6 PM.