Romeoville, Ill. – In their regular season finale, the Lewis University women's volleyball team took down Southwest Baptist in five sets at home
With the win, the Flyers ended the regular season with an overall record of 15-13 (6-7 GLVC) and will look to win their fifth consecutive GLVC Women's Volleyball Championship as the eighth overall seed. As for the Bearcats, they ended the year with an overall record of 8-20 (1-12 GLVC).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Down 18-16 late in the first set, the Flyers turned the tables on the Bearcats as they embarked on a 6-1 run, paced by five kills from
Emma O'Neill (Papillion, Neb./Papillion La Vista South) to reclaim the lead, 22-19. The two GLVC foes exchanged the next seven points with the Flyers holding on to win, 25-23 and take a 1-0 match lead.
Down 23-20 in the second set, Southwest Baptist tied the match 1-1 as they rattled off the final five scores of the set to come back and steal the second stanza, 25-23.
In the third set, the Flyers found themselves in a 17-10 hole halfway through the frame. An untimely service error from the Bearcats turned the tides however as it uncorked a 11-2 run that propelled Lewis into the lead for the first time all set, 21-19. Southwest Baptist replied with a 7-4 spurt of their own that pushed them to the brink of winning the third frame, 26-25. Still, the Flyers recovered and an O'Neill kill spurned a short 3-0 spurt that saw the Flyers win, 28-26 and take a 2-1 match lead.
Southwest Baptist tied the match in the fourth set with a 25-20 victory to force the winner take all fifth frame.
In the final stanza, the Flyers took flight out of the gate as they tallied seven of the first 10 points of the frame. The red and white never relinquished their lead and even with a late 5-1 spurt from the visitors, Lewis sealed the 15-13 set five win with a kill from
Sarah Newberry (Fairfield, Ohio/Stephen T Badin) and punched their ticket to the postseason.
O'Neill and Ann Kelly Veilkov paced Lewis with 15 kills apiece while
Mya Bajramovic (Cary, Ill./West Virginia Wesleyan) put down 11 of her own.
Rachel Kaczorowski (Carpentersville, Ill./Harry D. Jacobs) tallied 27 assists with
Lily King (Channahon, Ill./Kent State) close behind with 26. On the defensive side of the ball, O'Neill led the way with eight total (2S, 6A) while five different Lewis player amassed 10-or-more digs, highlighted by a season-high 26 from
Chloe Fornetti (Caledonia, Mich./East Kentwood).
Gabrielle Dupree led the Bearcats with 29 kills while Katie Pogue amassed 35 assists. Chloe Chafin amassed a match-best 41 digs in the loss.
MATCH NOTES
- After the match the Flyers honor their senior class of Mya Bajramovic (Cary, Ill./West Virginia Wesleyan), Emma O'Neill (Papillion, Neb./Papillion La Vista South), Chloe Fornetti (Caledonia, Mich./East Kentwood) and Avery Holubar (Bargersville, Ind./Center Grove).
- Bajramovic made her first start of the 2025 campaign.
- Lewis is still undefeated all-time against Southwest Baptist.
- O'Neill notched 10-or-more kills for the ninth time this season
- Freshman Addison Lampe (Breese, Ill./Mater Dei) made her first appearance since Oct. 3 against Truman State with her appearance in the third set.
UP NEXT
The Flyers will get ready to compete in the GLVC Women's Volleyball Championship. A release later this week will detail the Flyers opponent, time and other match details.
50 YEARS OF WOMEN'S ATHLETICS (WATCH)
Lewis University has organized several alumni and family events throughout the women's athletic seasons to commemorate this historic milestone. The special gatherings provided an opportunity for former athletes, families, and supporters to reconnect and celebrate the achievements of women's sports at Lewis.
For the latest news, scores, and updates on Lewis women's volleyball, visit LewisFlyers.com and follow the Flyers on social media at @Lewisuwvb on Instagram and @LewisWVBall on X.
