Box Score Snow College hit their stride ending the regular season and peaked at the right time to win the Region XVIII Volleyball Tournament held in Rangely, Colorado. Winning the tournament paved the way for the Badgers to get a #7 seed entering the National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Thursday Snow College faced #10Â Northeastern College and won the match in three straight sets 25-19, 25-19, and 25-23. The Badgers played with a calm confidence and strong leadership in their third straight National Tournament appearance. Freshman Hannah Smith led the team offensively with 11 kills and sophomores KJ Strong and Macie Gordon were also heavy hitters contributing 9 kills each. Freshman Libero Sage Loveland led the team in digs with 14 Macy Short had an impressive 42 assists.
Later Thursday afternoon the Badgers faced #2 Butler in the Quarterfinals. Snow battled hard, but lost in straight sets 22-25, 24-26 and 16-25. In a point by point battle the Badgers often held the lead but failed to close out sets when they had the chance. Smith and captain Short were strong service weapons in the match with each finishing with four aces. Bailey Rassmussen led the offense with 12 kills. Freshman middle blocker Tricia Tua'one hit .571 in the second set.
The Badgers couldn't bounce back in the consolation bracket when they faced #3 seed Miami Dade that was also upset in the Quarter Finals. Snow College went down battling 3 sets to 1. Three of the top four teams were upset in the first day of tournament play.
Snow College finished out with an impressive straight set victory over Blinn College 25-21, 25-18 and 26-24Â to finish seventh in the National Tournament.