OTTAWA, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary volleyball team had a tough battle with No. 25 Ottawa inside the Wilson Fieldhouse Wednesday evening. The Spires would fall in three straight sets, 3-0 (21-25, 21-25, 22-25).
The Spires are now 19-12 overall and 6-2 in the KCAC on the season. Saint Mary currently sits in fourth place behind Kansas Wesleyan in the conference.
GAME FLOW
Both teams played to a 6-6 tie in the first set before Ottawa took a 12-8 lead. The Spires started to chip away trailing by just two points at 15-13, but Ottawa never relinquished the lead in the set, winning 25-21.
Saint Mary kept fighting in the second set as they found themselves ahead 10-9. Ottawa would take a 17-16 lead, but Lexi Schamberger got a kill to tie the set at 17 before the Spires took three more points in their favor. The Braves would tie the set at 20 before grabbing a 22-20 lead. Ottawa was able to close out the set by a score of 25-21.
The third set was another close on as the Spires trailed early by a score of 10-8. Saint Mary would take the lead later at 17-15 after a kill from Ashley Van Gieson before Ottawa tied the score up three different times in the final stretch. Ottawa would claim the final set in the end by a score of 25-22.
KEY STATISTICS
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE SPIRES
The Spires return to the Ryan Sports Center on Friday night when they take on Oklahoma Wesleyan. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
