Sophomore Danielle Dull (Waupan, Wisc.) led Judson with a combined 32 kills in two matches. She had 10 vs. Bethel and then a career-high 22 kills in five games vs. Mt. Mercy. She also eight solo blocks and nine total blocks and 22 digs overall. Debra Leganski (Elgin, IL) recorded 17 total kills, 41 digs, and six assists in two matches. In her first collegiate match, Kiley Helgerson (Inverness, IL) had 42 assists.

In the season opener vs. Bethel College, Judson came out swinging and was up by as many as two, 14-12. Bethel then went on a 13-3 run to end the game and take game one, 25-16. Game two was not as close as Bethel jumped out to a 10-5 lead and never looked back in the 25-6 win. Judson was down by as many as five in game three, 15-10, before coming back within two, 16-14, on an attack error by Bethel that happened after a Dull kill for point 13. Judson brought the lead down to one, 22-21, on a Tracey Enzenbacher (St. Charles, IL) kill but a service error by Judson after that gave Bethel a two-point advantage. Two points later, Dull put Judson within striking distance, 23-22, only to see Bethel's Stephanie Harwood put down two straight kills to end the match, 25-22.

In the second match of the night, Judson played their heart out. Claiming game one, 26-24, Enzenbacher scored the final two points with a service ace and then a Mt. Mercy attack error. Game two was just as close but Mt. Mercy pulled out a 29-27 win. Judson had a 23-21 lead but could not clinch the win as Mt. Mercy tied the game at 23. The game went on to be tied at 24, 25, 26, and 27 before Mt. Mercy had consecutive kills from Jena Blint and Sarah Ryan to win the game.

Judson fell again in game three, 25-18, and was behind the whole game. After a 2-1 lead, Mt. Mercy had a 9-5 run to take a 10-6 lead. Judson came within one, 12-11 and 15-14, but could never get the lead back. Game four was just as close but Judson stole the win, 25-20. Judson led from the opening serve and had as large as a five-point lead. Game five was a nail biter as both teams battled. There were four ties before Mt. Mercy took the lead for good 7-6. Judson came within one again, 9-8, but several Mt. Mercy kills took the Mustangs to victory.

Judson will face Michigan-Dearborn at 12 p.m. and St. Francis (Ind.) at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 30^th, in the Judson Volleyball Labor Day Weekend Tournament.