Lady Spartans Fall to Owens in National Semifinal

Second-seeded Owens Community College handed third-seeded M State a 3-1 (26-24, 20-25, 25-12, 25-18) loss in the NJCAA Division III National Tournament semifinals at the Regional Sports Center in Rochester on Friday night.

Brooke Hovland led the attack for the lady Spartans with 14 kills.  Emily Condon and Emily Dehler added 8 and 6 kills, respectively.  Kaia Strom distributed 30 set assists and added 8 digs.  Bailey Marty led the defensive effort with a team high 28 digs, while Jayna Gronewold and Condon each had 10 digs.  Marty and Strom each served up 3 aces.

Leaders for Owens were Maddie White (11 kills, 20 digs), Taylor Momany (11 kills), Alexis Sarvo (9 kills), Emily Fallis (23 set assists, 10 digs), Jessica Dohm (18 set assists), Sydnie Meinke (8 kills, 13 digs, 3 service aces) and Sydney Alford (12 digs).

M State will play for third place at 2:00pm Saturday against SUNY-Broome.

Owens will face top-seeded Rock Valley for the Division III Championship at 4:00pm.