LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Wesleyan clinched a spot in the IIAC postseason volleyball tournament with a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Simpson College on Tuesday night (Oct. 24) at Snyder Arena.
 
NWU won the five-set thriller 25-18, 21-25, 24-26, 25-22, 16-14.  With the victory, the Prairie Wolves improve to 11-13 overall and more importantly 3-5 in the Iowa Conference which assures them the No. 6 seed in the postseason tournament. 
 
The Prairie Wolves looked like they would cruise in their final regular season appearance at Snyder Arena as NWU easily took down the Storm in the first set.  NWU forced Simpson into a negative hitting percentage in set one, while pounding out 10 kills to get the first set win.
 
Set two was back and forth with 13 total ties and seven lead changes.  NWU led 18-17 after a kill from Hannah Bellinghausen, but Simpson went on a 8-3 run to get the 25-21 win and even the match at one set apiece.
 
By far the most competitive set was the third set with 14 ties as neither team was able to pull away.  NWU got up 23-21 on an ace from Anna Gottsch and the home crowd tried to will the Prairie Wolves to the win.  A block from the Storm was followed up with an ace to tie it at 23-23.  NWU caught a break on a serve error giving them a set point.  The lead didn't last as NWU had a quick service error of their own.  Simpson then clinched the win with a big kill from Hannah Lester and a service ace.
 
Just like the first time the two teams met back in September at the NWU Invite, the Prairie Wolves would need to rally back if they wanted to complete the season sweep.
 
Nebraska Wesleyan jumped out quick leading 5-0 in the fourth set and they would never trail.  The lead was extended to 16-9 when Simpson made a late run and eventually got to 23-22.  A quick set over the net for a kill from Anna Gottsch gave the Prairie Wolves set point then the clinched the win with a powerful double block from Cora Svoboda and Sidney Mell.
 
Simpson got off to the fast start in the fifth set leading 6-3 before NWU started the rally.  The Prairie Wolves tied the set at 8-8, then took the lead on a kill from Bellinghausen.  The two teams would tie three more times, including at 14-14.  Karrie and Kylie Sestak teamed up for a block at the night to set up set point, then Karrie Sestak sealed the victory with a slam to the floor.
 
NWU had three players reach double figures in kills as they had 63 total in the match.  Karrie Sestak led the way with 14 kills and a .364 hitting percentage.  Cora Svoboda added 13 kills and five blocks with a .370 percentage with Sidney Mell recording a double-double of 11 kills and 18 digs.
 
Anna Gottsch led NWU with 33 assists, while Lizzie Saale had 31 digs from her libero spot.
 
Simpson was led by Hannah Lester with 16 kills and a .452 hitting percentage.
 
NWU steps out of conference for the final weekend of the regular season as they play three matches at the Baden Invitational in St. Louis, Mo.
 
The IIAC tournament begins on Oct. 31 as NWU will travel to Storm Lake, Iowa to face Buena Vista University.