The Statesmen volleyball team was issued a rude welcome into its new league as it was swept 3-0 by Central Methodist in its Heart of America Athletic Conference opener Wednesday.

WPU (1-7, 0-1 Heart) fell by scores of 11-25, 16-25, 13-25.

Unfortunately, the bright spots were not terribly abundant in the setback. Claire Simmons (Fr., Williamsburg, Iowa, Psychology) paced the team with six kills and a .286 attack percentage, while Erika Getz (Sr., Parsons, Kan., Physical Education) and Kiera MacPherson (Fr., West Chicago, Ill., General Mathematics) recorded three kills and one block assist each.

Leyra Jusino (Sr., Bayamon, P.R., General Biology) assisted 11 times and Haley Smith (Fr., Adrian, Mich., Elementary Education) did so on six occasions. Danielle Breeher (Sr., St. Louis, Mo., Biology) posted a team-high seven digs, and Simmons also notched the navy and gold’s lone ace.

Next Up: William Penn travels to Omaha, Neb. this weekend to compete in the Saint Mary-Grace Tournament. On Friday, the Statesmen face Southwestern (Kan.) at 2 p.m. and co-host Grace at 4 p.m. Then on Saturday, WPU meets Mayville State (N.D.) at noon and Mount Mercy at 4 p.m.

Story provided by Wade Steinlage