Simpson drops a pair on day one at Sugarloaf Classic

WINONA, Minn. – The Simpson volleyball team dropped matches to Saint Mary's and St. Thomas on the first day of the Saint Mary's Sugarloaf Classic on Friday evening.

Simpson lost 3-0 in each match, falling to Saint Mary's 25-17, 25-23, 25-19 before succumbing to No. 7 St. Thomas 25-16, 25-20, 25-11.

Steph Keller paced the Storm (0-2) against the host Cardinals with nine kills. Freshmen Tabitha Blaser,  Katie Kieffer and MacKenzie McGraw provided solid contributions, as Blaser tallied seven kills and a team-high .190 attack percentage, Kieffer distributed 20 assists and McGraw was a part of 10 blocks (two solo). Kim Rogers added 12 digs.

Simpson struggled to find offense against the national-powerhouse Tommies. McGraw had six kills and Keller had five as the Storm hit -.017 as a team. Kieffer had 14 assists and Rogers scooped 10 digs.

Simpson hopes for better luck Saturday when it takes on Nebraska Wesleyan and Edgewood. Both teams split on Friday: NWU lost 3-0 to St. Thomas before blanking UW-La Crosse and Edgewood was swept by Saint Mary's before beating Luther, 3-1.

Match times are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.