STORM LAKE, Iowa (Oct. 18, 2023) - Freshman Hope Vanderlinden turned in nine kills while senior Skylar Cole followed right behind with eight to lead the Buena Vista volleyball team (6-15, 0-5 A-R-C) on Wednesday night, but it was Simpson College (8-17, 3-2 A-R-C) coming into Siebens Fieldhouse and spoiling Senior Night for the Beavers with a 3-0 victory by scores of 25-16, 25-17, 25-22.

BVU led 11-10 in the opening set before the Storm broke things open with a 12-0 run that gave them a 22-11 lead. Freshman Kyla Vaughn ended the run with her first kill of the night while Cole followed with one of her own, but the charge was too-little-too-late as Simpson went on to win the set 25-16.

Buena Vista again led early on in the second set at 5-2 before Simpson used a big 8-1 run that put it up for good at 10-6. Vaughn added a kill to keep the Beavers within reach at 12-9, but that was as close as it would be from there with the Storm opening up a 21-11 advantage before going up 2-0 in the match.

The final set was back-and-forth from the opening serve. The score was tied at 3-3, 7-7 and later at 13-13. The Storm would build a 17-14 advantage before a serving error and consecutive kills by seniors Rachel Brockney and Molly McCauley tied things up late at 17-17. Simpson then registered three straight kills to go up 20-17 and never looked back. Cole tried to keep things alive for the Beavers with her final kill of the night to make it 24-22 but then ended it with an attack error. 

The nine kills from Vanderlinden marked her highest total since chalking up a career-high 13 against Minnesota-Morris back in early September. Cole, who was among the four seniors honored before the match, also added one of the team's three total blocks on the night.

Freshman Grace Coble posted her first career assist-dig double-double for the Beavers, dishing out 24 assists and adding 10 digs. Molly Bense turned in a team-high 17 digs with McCauley adding 12 and Mallory Ignaszewski 11.

Emily Williams led all players in the match with 16 kills for the Storm.

Buena Vista looks to get back into the win column on Saturday, Oct. 21, when the team plays a pair of exhibition match at the Morningside University Triangular. The Beavers open the day against Valley City State University at 3 p.m. before taking on the host Mustangs at 5 p.m.