Storm win five-set thriller against Saint Benedict

WAVERLY, Iowa – In the Storm's second matchup against Saint Benedict of the season, the team earned a victory. The thrilling five-set matchup went into extra points in the fifth set, marked by two double-doubles.

Morgan DenBeste and Emily Williams both recorded double-doubles on the night. Emmy Seiler and Emily Williams led the team in kills with 17 each, and Ella Meyer added 26 digs to the mix. Jada Schmidt also put forth a great performance, earning the team 10 kills.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Storm came out quick in the first set with a 3-0 lead. Simpson extended their lead mid set with a 4-0 run, marked by a kill by Emmy Seiler. They held onto their lead for the remainder of the set, finishing on a kill by Emmy Seiler to end the set with a 25-20 win.
• The second set opened with a kill by Peyton Mitchell to put the Storm on the board first. Kills by Emily Williams and Emmy Seiler brought Simpson to a lead at 14-12. Saint Benedict went on a 6-0 run late in the second set, but a kill by Emily Williams stopped their run. Simpson fought back to win the second set 25-23.
• Simpson started strong in set three with an opening 5-0 run with a kill by Peyton Mitchell. Saint Benedict responded quickly with a 4-0 run later in the match, tying the score at 7-7. A pair of kills by Emily Willaims brought the lead back to the Simpson side at 12-9. Saint Benedict took over for a 9-0 run and beat Simpson 25-16.
• A 4-0 run by the Storm put the team up 7-3 early in the fourth with a kill by Emily Williams. Simpson went on another 4-0 run mid set to continue their lead. A pair of kills by Emmy Seiler brought the score to 16-14 in favor of the Storm. A run by Saint Benedict returned the lead to CSB, and Simpson dropped set four 25-23.
• In a decisive fifth set, Simpson came out ahead with a 6-0 run with three straight kills by Emmy Seiler. Later in the set, a service ace by Audrey Behrens brought the Storm's lead to 12-6. A 4-0 run late in the set brought Saint Benedict back within one point, Simpson still leading 13-12. The set moved into extra points with a kill by Emmy Seiler to keep the team alive at 15-15. A kill by Emily Williams put the team up 18-17 and the team won the fifth set, and the match 19-17.

STORM'S BEST
Emily Williams: 17 kills, 2 solo blocks, 20 digs
Emmy Seiler: 17 kills, 5 digs
Jada Schmidt: 10 kills, 4 digs
Morgan DenBeste: 22 assists, 3 aces, 16 digs
Ella Meyer: 26 digs, 8 assists

UP NEXT
The Storm will return to play tomorrow night in day two of the Wartburg Tournament to face off against Wis.-Superior at 9:30 a.m. and St. Olaf at 11:30 a.m.