Oskaloosa–The Statesmen volleyball team said goodbye to the five members of its senior class as the 2015 campaign concluded with a 3-1 loss to Peru State (Neb.) in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.

William Penn (6-23, 1-10 Heart), which lost by scores of 14-25, 26-24, 18-25, 5-25, was outhit .286-(-).014.

After permitting the Bobcats (24-12, 8-3 Heart) to hit .538 in the opening set, the home squad battled back with a .106 clip in the second set (limited PSC to .095).  WPU led by five points on three different occasions, but had to fight off a visiting set point before closing it out with three straight points.

The navy and gold claimed a 10-9 edge in the third ‘round’, but ran out of steam and gave up 10 of the next 11 points.  The remainder of the night belonged to PSC.

Claire Simmons (Fr., Williamsburg, Iowa, Psychology) paced the Statesmen with 13 kills, while Savanna Hartman (Jr., Morgan Hill, Calif., Psychology) notched 12 winners.

A double-double of 37 assists and 11 digs was posted by Leyra Jusino (Sr., Bayamon, P.R., General Biology), while Danielle Breeher (St. Louis, Mo., Biology) had 10 digs.

Shawni Wills (Jr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Biology) and Erika Getz (Sr., Parsons, Kan., Physical Education) each tallied six kills; Wills also topped WPU in aces (2) and blocks (3 assists).

The match was the final collegiate appearances for seniors Breeher, Getz, Jusino, Emily McHugh (Sr., Plainfield, Ill., Pre-Law & Psychology), and Natalie Sieck (Sr., Ankeny, Iowa, Sociology).

“The season had its ups and downs, but we continued to move in the right direction,” Head Coach Jennifer Carlson said.  “Our seniors had a huge part in getting the program to this point.  I hope we continue to grow and make them proud!  I am going to miss them.”

Story provided by Wade Steinlage