POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – The University of Saint Mary volleyball team tested College of the Ozarks and No. 3 ranked Columbia early in the final day of the Chick-fil-A Classic on Saturday afternoon. The Spires however, fell in both matches 3-0.

The Spires are now 10-9 on the season.

GAME FLOW (College of the Ozarks)
The Spires gave College of the Ozarks a tough test early and often in the first two sets. Saint Mary trailed 14-8 in the first set, but kept pace with the Bobcats trailing by just five points at 18-13. College of the Ozarks however, was able to close out the set and win 25-17. Both teams traded points early in the second set before Ozarks broke a 6-6 tie to eventually lead 12-7.

The Spires however, went on a run – capped off by kills from Bailey Wright, Angela Wade and McKenzie Kueker to tie the set at 14. Both teams would trade punches and work the score to a 20-20 tie, before the Spires took a 23-21 lead after a Bobcats error. The Bobcats then scored the final four points of the set to clinch it 25-23.

College of the Ozarks took control of the third set, leading 12-4 and never looked back. The Bobcats would take the final frame by a score of 25-13.

GAME FLOW (Columbia)
Saint Mary also had a tough battle with the third-ranked team in the country in Columbia. The Spires kept pace with the Cougars in the first set, and took an 8-7 lead after a kill from Delaney Deckard. Both teams worked their way to a 14-14 tie before the Cougars eventually took the set, 25-17.

Saint Mary was up for the challenge in the second set as they trailed by no more than three points, up until Columbia took a 19-15 lead. The Cougars would score nine of the final 10 points in the set, to win 25-16.

In the third set, the Spires once again tested the Cougars early. Trailing 7-4, Wade recorded two of the next three points for the Spires to cut the deficit to 9-7. Saint Mary would score another point on an error by the Cougars. Columbia then went on a 7-0 run to take an 18-8 lead, before winning the set 25-16.

KEY STATISTICS

• Wade led the Spire with 21 kills on the day.
• Wright added 30 assists between the two matches.
• Camille Louie totaled a team high 24 digs.

WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE SPIRES
The Spires return to conference play as they travel to Sterling College on Tuesday. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.