LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – Another epic five set match took place inside the Ryan Sports Center Tuesday evening, as the University of Saint Mary volleyball team had to claw past Tabor to collect their fourth straight win. The Spires would hang on for a 3-2 (25-6, 17-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-4) victory over the Blue Jays.

The Spires are now 15-10 overall and 6-1 in the KCAC on the season. Saint Mary is now just a half game behind No. 22 McPherson College for the top spot in the conference.

GAME FLOW
Saint Mary had no problem taking the first set over Tabor as they defeated the Blue Jays 15-6. The second and third sets would pose a bit of a challenge for the Spires. In the second frame, the Spires fell behind, but were able to cut the deficit to one at 16-15 after multiple errors by Tabor. The Blue Jays would take control after and win set two, 25-17.

Saint Mary grabbed an early lead in the third set, but the Blue Jays hung around. With the Spires leading 15-12 after two kills from Angela Wade, Tabor eventually tied the score at 18 before going on a 7-2 run to close the set out at 25-20.

Facing a 2-1 deficit, USM took complete control of the fourth and fifth sets. Saint Mary jumped out to a 10-4 lead and would ride that to a 25-19 set win. Bianca Asheim got a kill, while the Blue Jays struggled to get the ball over the net on the final point. Ashley Van Gieson and Cali Odom would team up for three kills and a service ace, in the final frame to ignite a 10-3 opening frame for the Spires. Saint Mary then scored five of the next six points to take the set 15-4.

KEY STATISTICS

• Four Spires had double-digit kills in Odom (15), Wade (12), Cody Offerle (11) and Asheim (10).
• Van Gieson (23) and Bailey Wright (21) combined for 44 assists.
• Katy Koepke led the team with 18 digs and Wade was second with 17.
• Van Gieson totaled five of the team's 11 service aces on the day.

WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE SPIRES
The Spires will travel to St. Louis, Mo. on Friday and Saturday to play four matches in the Eutectic Classic. Saint Mary will begin play against Oklahoma City on Friday at 3 p.m., before taking on the University of St. Francis (Ill.) at 5 p.m. The Spires then close out the tournament on Saturday with matches against Robert Morris University (Ill.) at 9 a.m. and a 1 p.m. first serve against Lyon College (Ark.).