HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary volleyball team posted a season opening 2-2 record at the KCAC Fall Fling this weekend inside the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

The Spires took victories over Bethel College and Tabor College on Friday. On Saturday the Spires faced off against the preseason top two teams in the KCAC and fell in both.

GAME FLOW (Bethel)
Both teams battled to an 11-11 tie in the first set. Cali Odom and Cali Barger each earned kills as part of three straight points for the Spires, before they built their lead to 20-13 later on. As Saint Mary led 21-15, Bethel gave the Spires a gift with three straight errors. The Spires would close out the first set with a 25-18 win. Saint Mary then managed to scrape by Bethel in the second set – leading 22-19 before Cody Offerle and Aly Camacho helped close out set two with one kill each.

The Spires opened up the third set going on a huge run and eventually leading 21-11 over the Wildcats. Bethel managed to trim the deficit with an 8-2 run, but the Spires earned the win in the end with a 25-20 third set win.

GAME FLOW (Tabor)
The match between the Blue Jays and Spires would turn out to be a nail-biter. Saint Mary chipped away in the first set coming back from a 12-10 deficit to take a 15-13 lead. Angela Wade later earned a service ace to tie the set at 19, but Tabor followed up with three straight points on their way to the 25-23 first set win. The Blue Jays opened up the second set with a 10-6 lead before extending it to 19-10. The Spires would gain five more points in the set including a service ace from Camille Louie, but Tabor took the set 25-15.

Saint Mary was able to battle back and took the third set by a narrow 26-24 margin. With the score tied at 24, Odom earned a kill before an attacking error by the Blue Jays ended the set. The Spires tied the match at two sets apiece after taking the fourth by a score of 25-18, as they scored five straight points to end it.

The match would go to a fifth and final deciding set where the Spires would continue their rally and defeat Tabor, 15-13. Bianca Asheim capped off the set with a kill.

GAME FLOW (Kansas Wesleyan)
Kansas Wesleyan opened up the first set with a 13-7 lead, but the Spires would stay within striking distance. Odom, Aseim and Barger each had kills as part of six straight points for the team. The Coyotes had an 18-13 lead and would lead the rest of the set – taking it 25-18. Saint Mary held a 12-9 lead in set two before the Coyotes tied the score at 13. The teams would trade points, but KWU built a six-point advantage at 21-15. Kansas Wesleyan took a two set lead after winning the second frame 25-17.

Saint Mary fell behind 9-5 in the third set before scoring four straight points to nod things up at nine. The Coyotes then went on a 11-4 run to take a 20-13 lead and eventually won the set 25-18.

GAME FLOW (Ottawa)
The Spires facing the Ottawa Braves, put up a fight. The Braves would take the match in three straight sets. The Spires fell in the first set by a score of 25-17, before Ottawa took the second set 25-15. Saint Mary made the third set closer, but came up just short falling 25-20.

KEY STATISTICS

• Lexi Schamberger begins the 2018 season with 23 kills to lead the Spires. Barger is second on the team with 21 and and Ashiem has 20.
• Ashley Van Gieson recorded a team high 57 assists in the four matches this weekend, while Bailey Wright has 55.
• Katy Koepke totaled 52 digs and Brooke Fender had 37.
• Odom leads the team with 11 total blocks with Barger sitting in second with eight.

WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE SPIRES
Saint Mary will host Saint Louis College of Pharmacy and Graceland University in a Tri-Match on Wednesday, inside Ryan Sports Center. The Spires will be in action against the Eutectics at 3 p.m., before taking on the Yellow Jackets at 7 p.m.