The Simpson volleyball team continued their busy early season slate this weekend as they went 2-2 at the Jim Coleman Invite hosted by Aurora (Ill.) University.

The Storm’s wins bookended the invite as they took match one 3-0 over Benedictine University (Ill.) before ending the tournament with a straight sets knockout of Wheaton (Mass.).

Senior Tabitha Blaser was named to the all-tournament after accumulating 25 kills over the final two matches as Simpson stands at 5-6 on the season.

Friday, Sept. 11 vs. Benedictine – W, 3-0 (25-11, 25-20, 25-17)

Simpson started the first set sizzling hot, hitting .455 to take the firs set 25-11. The Storm hit .152 and .157 respectively over the next two sets as they ran away with a straight sets win. Blaser had a game-high 12 kills while Jacqueline Luth put away 11.

Olivia Sulentic was a digging machine, recording 30 digs.

Friday, Sept. 11 vs. U-Chicago – L, 3-0 (13-25, 12-25, 12-25)

University of Chicago’s offensive flurry was too much for Simpson to handle as the Storm fell in Friday’s second match.

The Pheonix hit .333, .280 and .353 to run away with the match. The Storm floundered on the attack, hitting -.012 with Blaser’s four kills serving as the team-high.

Saturday, Sept. 12 vs. Aurora University – L, 3-0 (21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 20-25) 

The Storm performed well in Saturday’s opener and hit for a higher percentage (.313 vs. .222) than Aurora but they couldn’t crack the host Spartans.

Simpson hit a blazing hot .485 in the second set to tie the match up but Aurora weathered the Storm with a 70-40 dig differential to win the match.

Blaser put up 15 kills as freshman Maura Chadwick continued to play well, adding 20 assists and six digs.

Saturday, Sept. 12 vs. Wheaton (Mass.) – W, 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-22)

Simpson didn’t play their best volleyball in the weekend finale but it was enough to dispatch of Wheaton (Mass.) in straight sets.

The Storm hit a mere .047 but nine service aces to Wheaton’s 1 and 20 more digs than their opponent helped carried Simpson to a win.

Blaser was the lone player for either side in double-digit kills with 10. Sulentic added 26 digs.

 IIAC play begins:

The Storm open Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Wednesday as they take on Wartburg College at 7 p.m. in Waverly.