Storm sweep Wartburg, first win over the Knights in over a decade

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Storm fought for a quick win over Wartburg today in a three-set sweep. Today's win over Wartburg marks the first time that the Storm have beat Wartburg since 2009 and the first time that the Storm have swept the Knights since 2008.

The first set remained close as Simpson took on Wartburg, but the Storm dug even deeper to put forth an outstanding second and third set performance.

Jada Schmidt led the team in kills with 13, followed by Emily Williams with 10. Morgan DenBeste had a standout match with 32 assists, and Ella Meyer rounded it out with 16 digs to lead the Storm in that category.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first points for the Storm in set one were earned from a kill by Jada Schmidt. Simpson used the kill to build momentum, going on an early 4-0 run, marked by kills from Emily Williams and Emmy Seiler as well as an ace from Ella Meyer. Wartburg went on a mid-set 5-0 run to take a 11-8 lead, but Simpson fought back with two 4-0 runs. The Storm held their lead for the remainder of the set, finishing on an ace from Jada Schmidt for a 25-21 victory.
• Jada Schmidt scored the first point of the second set with a kill, which was followed by back-to-back kills from Emily Williams. Simpson went on an early 4-0 run with a kill by Peyton Mitchell and an ace from Audrey Behrens. The Storm went up 18-10 late in the second set, and put forth another large 6-0 run at the end of the set. The Storm won set two 25-12.
• The Storm went on a 4-0 run early in the third set with another Ella Meyer ace and an Emmy Seiler kill. The Knights attempted to remain in the match, but Simpson wasn't letting them back in. The Storm ended the third set, and the match, on a 4-0 run with kills by Peyton Mitchell and Jada Schmidt, winning the set 25-14.

STANDOUTS

• Jada Schmidt: 13 kills (0.385), 2 aces, 4 digs, 2 blocks
• Emily Williams: 10 kills, 14 digs, 3 aces
• Emmy Seiler: 9 kills (0.474), 3 digs
• Morgan DenBeste: 32 assists, 8 digs
• Ella Meyer: 16 digs, 3 aces

NOTES

• The Storm's sweep of Wartburg is their first against the Knights since 2008.
• Emmy Seiler's 0.474 hitting percentage is a new career-best for the freshman, smashing her previous record of 0.368.
• Jada Schmidt's 0.385 hitting percentage is her new career-best, defeating her previous record of 0.364 that she set on Sept. 9, 2023.
• The team hit a 0.354 in today's match, Simpson's highest hitting percentage since Oct. 13, 2018 when the team hit a combined 0.424 against Monmouth (Ill.).

UP NEXT
The Storm will play their final match of the season as well as honor their seniors on Wednesday against Luther in Indianola at 6 p.m.