Geidel, Grahn lead Viterbo in cross-town rivalry win

Eagles were looking to go 10-0

It looked like things were going to be different. 

For the last eight matchups, Viterbo University’s volleyball team has taken down its cross-town rival.

This time, however, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse was riding high, undefeated and ranked No. 18 in Division 3.

The V-Hawks, which have been to the NAIA Final Four the last two seasons, weren’t fazed in front of the 803 fans at Mitchell Hall – the first time either team had played in town this season. The No. 5-ranked V-Hawks won 3-1 (25-19, 25-18, 22-25, 26-24).

Viterbo middle hitter Natalie Geidel had 20 kills and teammate Amelia Grahn had 40 assists as the V-Hawks improved to 12-2 on the season.

It took two sets before the Eagles (9-1) began to find a rhythm and a win. They carried that momentum into the fourth set, up 15-10, before Geidel and Grahn took over.

Viterbo tied it 16-16 – three kills by Geidel, three assists by Grahn during the run – and the teams went back and forth from there on out. UW-L missed a serve with the scored tied 24-24 and then Grahan hit Geidel for the final kill and win.

While the V-Hawks have now won nine in a row against UW-L, they still trail in the series 27-12.

Stephanie Heck and Marisa Johnson each had 14 kills for the Eagles, while teammate Maddie Etinger had 41 assists.

Baylee Gross had 18 digs and Emilee Wiersma added 10 kills for Viterbo. 

Halle Barnabo led UW-L with 17 digs, while teammates Jill Etinger had 11 kills and Paige Schmidt added 10 more for UW-L, which won’t play at home again until Oct. 5. Viterbo’s home-opener is Sept. 30.