Eagles Fall to Red-Hot Pioneers of Grinnell

GRINNELL, Iowa—The Faith Eagles traveled to Darby Gymnasium in Grinnell Tuesday night to take on the red-hot Grinnell Pioneers, who were looking to improve to 5-0 and break a school record for the best start in program history.

The Eagles fell behind early in the first set as the Pioneers jumped to a 7-0 lead off of six straight kills from the tall attackers of Grinnell. After falling behind 22-2, the Eagles were able to mount a small rally of four straight points, but Grinnell answered with three straight of their own, taking the first set, 25-6.

The second set began like the first, with Grinnell pouncing to an 8-0 lead. The Eagles fell behind 16-2 before a nice rally pulled them within nine points at 19-8. Faith showed marked improvement in set two, but fell, 25-12.

The Eagles used the confidence gained from the second set to jump to its first lead in the third, a 5-0 lead before a flurry of aces from the Pioneers gave Grinnell full control and the 25-9 win and their best start in school history.

Faith was led by freshman outside hitter Jen Smith with 10 digs, junior middle hitter Bekah Smith with five kills, and freshman setter Makenna Laib with seven assists.

The Eagles will have another chance at their first win of the season on Friday night against Maranatha at 7:30 p.m. at Ankeny Christian Academy. It will be the first match of the 2019 season for the Sabercats.