INDEPENDENCE, Kan.  - The Independence Volleyball team fell in both their matches Friday afternoon, losing in straight sets to Western Iowa Tech and losing a five set thriller to McPherson JV. 

In their third shot this year at the Comets of Western Iowa Tech the Pirates fell once again in straight sets, all 17-25. All three losses to the Comets this year have come in straight sets. 

Alyssa Trane led the way with six kills and added 13 digs, while Tasiya Combs-Pierce pitched in five kills. 

The Pirates bounced back with a valiant effort against a McPherson squad made up of a mix of varsity reserves and JV players, who knocked off WITCC in straight sets the prior match. After dropping the first set 22-25, Indy bounced back to take the second by a score of 25-19. In a back and forth match, McPherson was able to once again take set three, also a 22-25 score. Once again the Pirates, with their backs against the wall, rallied to win the fourth set 25-23, forcing a fifth and final set. 

In the fifth set, McPherson was able to make an early push and take a 10-3 lead that propelled them to a 15-7 victory in the final set, and the match. 

Freshman Hailee Townsend had the best game of her young collegiate career with 19 kills, while Keeley Brown was a force at the net with six blocks. Sophia Reyes once again paced the Pirates defensively with 25 digs and also added in five service aces. Setter Serrena Hernandez dished out 27 assists. 

This will end the Pirates long homestand as they will hit the road next week and make the short drive up the road to take on Coffeyville in a KJCCC match on Wednesday. The Pirates will return home to take on Johnson County on October 7th.