Lake Forest Sweeps Beloit, Climbs to .500 in MWC Play

Photos by Abby King
Photos by Abby King

Senior Grace Larson recorded another double-double and the Forester volleyball team defeated visiting Beloit College 25-11, 25-19, 25-23 Tuesday night.

Larson led all players in the match with 13 kills and 14 digs. It was the 12th time this season she reached double figures in both categories and she has now accomplished the feat 34 times in her career.

Lake Forest junior setter Olivia Rhodes was next on the team with 10 digs and she also finished with 31 assists and six kills. Sophomore Isabel Donnelly added nine kills and senior Emily Witz nine digs.

The home team posted a .400 hitting percentage in the opening set. Donnelly and Larson each had five kills and Rhodes 13 assists. Beloit led 6-4 before a 10-1 run by the Foresters gave them a seven-point lead. Lake Forest did not drop consecutive points the rest of the way and continued to increase its lead, eventually taking the set 25-11.

The Buccaneers were ahead by as many as three points early in set two. They led 13-12 before five points in a row put the Foresters on top for good. The margin was at least three points throughout the rest of the set and a kill by sophomore Olivia Drevs finished it off.

Lake Forest broke a 10-10 tie with a five-point run in the third set but Beloit came back and tied the score at 20. The Foresters took the next three points and eventually closed out the contest with a kill by sophomore Olivia Smith on their third match point opportunity. Smith and Larson each had five kills and Larson added six digs in the final set.

The victory raised the Foresters' overall record on the season to 11-15 and evened their Midwest Conference mark at 4-4. Beloit fell to 8-15 overall and 2-5 in the league.

Lake Forest will close out the season against Ripon College at home Friday night. The Foresters' Senior Night contest will begin at 7:00 p.m.