SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After going the distance twice on opening day in the University of Illinois Springfield Capital Classic Friday, Winona State University made much quicker work of its opponents in the finale on Saturday. The Warriors swept the University of Charleston to begin the day and proceeded to pick up their second win in as many days against the host (RV) Illinois Springfield in straight sets as well.
Sophomore Madison Rizner and rookie Madison Larson floored eight kills apiece in the 25-10, 25-23, 26-24 triumph over Charleston before the freshman stepped up even more in the matinee against UIS with 16 kills. WSU defeated Illinois Springfield by scores of 25-20, 25-21, 25-21.
The Warriors (4-0) didn't win their fourth match of the season in 2018 until September 14th and look poised to challenge the best of the best this year in the gauntlet conference that is the NSIC. It marks Winona State's first 4-0 start since 2016 when the Warriors advanced to their first-ever NCAA Central Regional.
Making the weekend sweep even more impressive is that one of the Warriors' top offensive threats was sidelined in Cori Meyers as Winona State showcased its depth.
It was a balanced attack against Charleston with 10 Warriors recording at least one kill. Rizner added five blocks to her offensive output while Larson dug up eight balls as WSU limited Charleston to a .011 hitting percentage. Hannah McCann set the WSU offense with a career-high 15 assists.
Larson added 12 digs in the finale for her first career double-double (16 kills) while Becca Pagel led the way for the fourth straight match with 15 digs (25 on the day). Megan Flom also reached double digits offensively with 13 kills with Kaleigh Beehler and Kate Masberg combining for 13 additional kills against Illinois Springfield.
The Warriors return to the court for another four-match tournament on the road next weekend at UW-Parkside. Winona State will take on McKendree University and Quincy University on Friday before wrapping up play with UW-Parkside and Purdue Northwest on Saturday.
