MILWAUKEE – After welcoming Northland International University to the Bloechl Center for the second time this year, the Pioneers (9-6) defeated the Blue Angels in a 3-0 match today.
The first set was 25-18 NIU, and after the team got their "bounce" back with Hintz coming into the contest, MMU pushed the Pioneers to the limit losing 28-26. Once NIU got their rhythm, it was tough for Mount Mary University to get back into it, losing the final set 25-15.
Mount Mary University is now 0-19 on the season, and after injuries have hit the team, it has been difficult to get back on track. The last time MMU won a set was against Finlandia University Sept. 26th, since then the Navy Halos have been plugging players into new positions to try and find cohesive lineup.
Tonight, however, Payton Hintz (Almond, Wis.) came back and sparked her team with some long volleys. Setter Payton Hintz has been missing since the Inferno-Angels Classic on Sept. 19th, the injury has instigated the changes throughout the roster. Molly Peck (Fr./Milwaukee, Wis.) has moved out of the libero role and has been helping out at setter.
On Hintz first game back she seemed to get back in the grove, and she leads her team with 17 assists. In the Shuffle, the libero slot has gone to Bethany Van Hammond (So./Appleton, Wis.), who has been all over the backend tonight, laying out and keeping the team pumped.
Doing her best to lead, Sarah Wishau (Sr./Oak Creek, Wis.) was on top of the kills category for MMU with 10. Wishau has led the Blue Angels in kills game after game, she now has 119 on the year. The captain has been leading by example, and hopefully the youthful team can start to follow suit.
All-time, the Blue Angels/Pioneers series is 7-4 in favor of Mount Mary University. However, NIU has won the last four contests against the Blue Angels, with two coming this season. This also marks the fourth straight win on the season for the Pioneers.
With the schedule turning up the frequency, the Blue Angels will be going to Chicago, Ill. to face the Illinois Institute of Technology for the first time this season. The Inferno-Angels Classic had the Scarlet Hawks play as their counterpart to the Blue Angels in tournament layout; the two teams did not have a game against one another. Illinois Tech will host the game on Tuesday Oct. 7th at 7:00 pm.
