Vanguard makes final 12 at NAIA national tourney

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The Vanguard University women’s volleyball team defeated Doane College of Nebraska, 25-17, 25-20, 29-27, Thursday to complete pool play and advance to the 12-team single-elimination championship bracket at the NAIA national tournament.

Vanguard (18-11) will meet Golden State Athletic Conference rival Point Loma Nazarene today at 9:15 a.m. for the right to meet Concordia, another GSAC representative, tonight at 6:15 p.m. in the quarterfinals.

The Lions split with both Point Loma and Concordia during the conference season.

Vanguard, which won two of three pool-play matches, opened a 7-0 lead behind four Kelsey Wirt kills in the opening set against Doane (28-10).

The Lions never trailed in the second set, then fought off four set points to close out the sweep and move on in their first NAIA tournament appearance.

Wirt had 17 kills, while fellow junior outside hitter Heather DeJongh added 12 kills and 10 digs for the winners. Junior setter Meghan Walsh had 39 assists and 11 digs.

Seven of the final 12 teams are GSAC schools.

— From staff reports