WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace's volleyball team swept St. Francis for its second straight win on Senior Day at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.

Each of Grace's seniors contributed in her own way on Saturday. Kaitlin Kerrigan had 7 kills, 7 digs and 3 block assists; Taylor Baird tallied 31 assists, 4 kills and 2 aces; Megan Johnson had a career-high 11 digs; and Grace Woolsey tallied 4 kills and 3 block assists.

"We played outstanding defensively today. This was definitely one of our best blocking efforts we've had this season," said Grace coach Katie Van Hofwegen. "Our seniors stepped up big tonight. They had a solid group effort which motivated us to the win."

Grace celebrated its senior class with a ceremony before the match. The early emotion might have carried Grace in the opening points as the hosts jumped out to a 7-2 lead.

The Cougars, who trailed for most of the set, refused to fade. USF used a 7-1 run to tie the score at 22-22. The Cougars then scored two more points to serve for the game at 24-22.

Kelsee Zuidema gave Grace a collective sigh of relief with a thunderous kill on the next point, and Grace never looked back. The Lady Lancers rattled off six straight points, ending the set 26-24 on an ace by Taylor Baird.

It was Grace's turn in the second set to battle back from an early deficit. The Lady Lancers trailed by six until midway through the game. 

Angie Mack gave Grace a much-needed boost with several pinpoint serves in a row. Grace went on a 6-1 spurt and never trailed again. Zuidema ended the set 25-22 on a block point.

A similar theme ran true in the third set. The Cougars led early (4-0), but Grace rallied back. The Lady Lancers used a 9-2 run to open up a four-point advantage. Grace's run was sparked by two kills from Kaitlin Kerrigan and a pair of block points.

Grace sat on the verge of victory at 24-19, but USF showed tremendous resolve to win three straight points and set up a dramatic ending. But Grace finally secured the sweep after a violation by USF, ending the match 25-22.

Kari Feddema was the best player on the floor at times on Saturday. She had nine kills and blocked tremendously with one solo and five block assists.

Caylie Teel was another pillar to Grace's defense, racking up 26 digs in three sets. "Kari played really well in the middle tonight, and Caylie was amazing in the back row for us," Van Hofwegen said.

Zuidema finished with seven kills, and Savannah Hart's defense finished with 1 solo and 4 block assists.

As a team, Grace pounded out 11 blocks and held USF to a team hitting percentage of .086.

The Lady Lancers will have their home finale in the regular season on Wednesday, hosting Taylor for a 7 p.m. match at the MOCC.