ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The University of Saint Mary volleyball team finished the Eutectic Classic with a 3-1 record Saturday, after defeating Robert Morris University 3-1 (25-13, 25-22, 20-25, 25-21) and Lyon College 3-1 (25-16, 25-20, 26-28, 25-17). The Spires jumped out to 2-0 leads in both matches on the day.
The Spires are now 18-11 on the season and have won seven of their last eight matches. The 18 wins matches their win total from a year ago.
GAME FLOW (Robert Morris)
Saint Mary started where they left off on Friday taking the first set from Robert Morris 25-13. RMU put up a fight in the second set, but Cali Odom and Cody Offerle each put down a kill to close the set out, 25-22 for the Spires.
Saint Mary jumped out to a huge 16-8 lead in the third set, but Robert Morris climbed back in it and tied the score at 20. They would then score five straight points to take the set 25-20. In the fourth set the Spires held on to an 18-15 lead before Robert Morris once again tied the score at 20 later on. However, this time the Spires found life and took the set 25-21 led by two kills in the final stretch from Bianca Asheim.
GAME FLOW (Lyon)
Saint Mary held a 22-16 lead in the first set before Lyon College gave the Spires three straight points on attacking errors. Saint Mary won the first set 25-16. The Spires jumped out to a 13-6 lead in the second frame and extended it all the way to 22-14 after a kill from Angela Wade. The Scots battled back briefly, but USM would clinch the set 25-20.
Lyon would jump in front to a 7-2 lead in the third set before Saint Mary worked their way back to tie the score at 13 after a service ace from Bailey Wright. Both teams then traded point for point before the Spires held a 24-22 lead. Lyon however, would take the set 28-26 after a kill from Maggee Hobson and two attacking errors by the Spires.
Asheim would break an 8-8 tie in the fourth set with a kill and USM eventually took a 17-10 lead. Lyon would earn three straight points with a kill from Katherine Jeane and Gracen Ratliff, followed by a service ace from Michayla Shanks to cut the deficit to four.
The Spires were able to hold off the comeback from the Scots as they led 23-15 before Offerle and Asheim closed out the match with a kill apiece. The Spires took the set 25-17.
KEY STATISTICS
- Odom, Offerle and Wade each recorded 27 kills on the day.
- Wright led the Spires with 54 assists in the two matches combined.
- Katy Koepke totaled 35 digs on the day.
- Odom had a team high 10 block assists.
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE SPIRES
Saint Mary returns to the Ryan Sports Center for a match with Peru State on Tuesday. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
