Lady Owls downed by William Penn to start volleyball season

Senior outside hitter Kristen Bauer and freshman outside hitter Abbi McKnelly shared the team lead with 13 kills as the William Woods Lady Owls bowed to the William Penn Lady Statesmen 25-17, 13-25, 25-23 and 25-21 in Tuesday's season opener at Anderson Arena.

William Woods played a match later Tuesday night against Central Methodist University. Results were not available at press time.

Freshman setter Brittney Engelbrecht handed out 47 assists and came up with seven digs for the Lady Owls, while senior libero Abbie O'Mara posted a team-high 16 digs.

The Lady Owls will begin play in the Bellevue (Nebraska) University Tournament on Friday with matches against Clarke College (1 p.m.) and host Bellevue (7 p.m.). William Woods will finish up the tournament with matches Saturday against Baker (Kansas) University at 11 a.m. and Northwestern (Iowa) College at 5 p.m.