The Blue Angel volleyball, soccer, and cross country troupes open the first full week of October with events on their respective schedules in This Week in Blue Angel Athletics for October 4-10, 2021.

A Heated Rivalry Renewed

MMU volleyball came within literal points of knocking off crosstown rival Alverno College in both teams' season opener back on September 1; however the host Inferno rallied from a 0-2 deficit to surge past the Blue Angels in thrilling fashion, 19-25, 16-25, 25-16, 25-22, 15-13.

Part II of the teams' home-and-home dual series will shift to the Bloechl Center Wednesday as the Blue Angels look to even the score. MMU has not beaten Alverno since 2012, losing 12 straight matches including this year's season opener.

Alverno (1-5) has played just six matches this season, most recently getting swept at Concordia University-Wisconsin on September 21. Scheduled contests against NACC foes Benedictine and Wisconsin Lutheran were cancelled last weekend. Freshman Rolin West (New Orleans, La./LB Landry) leads not only the Inferno offense, but the entire NACC with 3.88 kills per set. Sophomore Skylar Kumprey (New Berlin, Wis./Homeschool) adds 3.45 kills per set while six players average over 2.25 digs per set.

Mount Mary (4-15) went 1-2 at the SISU Classic this past weekend, dropping a pair to host Finlandia University and sweeping Great Lakes Christian College. The victory over GLCC snapped an eight-match losing streak as the Blue Angels have battled the injury bug as of late. Sophomore Brianna Ecker (Fond du Lac, Wis./Stockbridge) leads the Blue Angels with 2.32 kills per set and adds 2.92 digs per set.

Soccer Michi-going

Mount Mary soccer will trek to west central Michigan for a two-game slate over the weekend, battling Grace Christian University Saturday at 1 p.m. before playing Great Lakes Christian College Sunday at 11 a.m.

Mount Mary (0-8) may still be seeking its first season victory, but the Blue Angels saw some vital pieces return to their lineup in Sunday's 5-0 loss to Lawrence at MMU Soccer Field. Freshman goalkeeper Brianna Brown (San Diego, Calif./Herbert Hoover) recorded seven saves, and freshmen defenders Dilli Kittner (Milwaukee, Wis./Torah Academy) and Amanda Antonio (Racine, Wis./William Horlick) each recorded a defensive save.

This week's slate features a pair of NCCAA-ranked squads as No. 3 Grace Christian (7-4), which shutout Mount Mary 8-0 back in mid-September, knocked off Andrews University, 8-1, and Maranatha Baptist, 1-0, last week. No. 1-ranked Great Lakes Christian (6-1) also shutout the Sabercats Friday, 4-0, and will travel to GCU this Wednesday.

Cross Country Opens Back-to-Back Saturdays in Appleton

After failing to comprise a five-person roster for last week's Warrior Invitational, the cross country crew hopes to regroup at the 10^th Annual Gene Davis Invitational in Appleton Saturday at Reid Municipal Golf Course. Hosted by Lawrence University, this course will also host the Wisconsin Private College Championships on October 16, which should give the Blue Angel harriers a good preview of its layout.

MMU has raced just once this season, taking sixth of six complete teams (12 total) at the Ken Weidt Cross Country Classic at CUW on September 11. Sophomore Jamy McClain (Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame Academy) recorded the fastest time among her teammates, compiling a time of 32:13.5 and finishing 61st among all runners.

On the Calendar

Wednesday, October 6

7:00 p.m. – Volleyball v. Alverno (Bloechl Center – Milwaukee, Wis.) 

Saturday, October 9

10:30 a.m. – Cross Country at Gene Davis Invitational (Reid Municipal Golf Course – Appleton, Wis.)
1:00 p.m. – Soccer at Grace Christian (Velting Field – Wyoming, Mich.)

Sunday, October 10

11:00 a.m. – Soccer at Great Lakes Christian (Henderson Field – Lansing, Mich.)