INDIANOLA, Iowa – Simpson and Dubuque went set for set with each other, setting up a pivotal fifth frame, but the Spartans had just a little more gas in the tank as they outlasted Simpson 3-2 (27-25, 22-25, 26-24, 18-24, 15-13) at Cowles Fieldhouse on Tuesday night.

The final set was even at 10-10 but Klaudia Basierak notched two kills, Dubuque put together two blocks and Simpson committed an attack error as the Spartans (11-12, 2-2) won the final leg. 

Basierak didn’t just have an impact in the final set but was a force all night, posting 23 kills, being backed up by Karrah Davis’ 15.

Whenever Simpson (11-12, 0-4) needed a point, Tabitha Blaser was there for the Storm, notching 18 kills but it wouldn’t be enough Simpson failed to pick up their first conference win.

6-1 sophomore Niki Dean had a breakout game for Simpson and for herself, posting a career-best 13 kills to backup Blaser. 

Olivia Sulentic continued her stellar defense from the weekend, recording 31 digs, while Hoppenworth’s 51 assists were a team-best, besting Alyssa Cose who had 47.

Simpson will get homecoming weekend off before heading to Cedar Rapids to face-off with the Kohawks of Coe College (13-7, 1-2) on Oct. 13.