FULTON, Mo. – Another five set match was on tap for the University of Saint Mary volleyball team Friday night as they fought back in the fifth set to take a 3-2 (21-25, 25-18, 19-25, 25-23, 15-10) decision over William Woods. The win was the team's record breaking 16th straight win as they continue to roll.
Saint Mary is now 25-7 overall – with the 25 wins also tying a program record set last year.
The Spires never had a lead in the first set, but stayed within striking distance of the Owls. Saint Mary came within two points down the stretch after a ball handling error by WWU at 23-21, but the Owls scored the final two points. Saint Mary rebounded in the second set and led 21-15 after a serving ace by Jessica Malizzi and kill from Cali Odom. Cody Offerle would spike two kills and the Spires rode the momentum to a 25-18 set win.
After William Woods took the third set 25-19, the Spires had a close battle with the Owls in the fourth frame. Anna Hester earned a kill to make the score 21-19 and two errors from the Owls built the lead to four. Saint Mary weathered the comeback and took the set 25-23 to force a fifth set.
In the fifth set, the Spires faced a 10-7 deficit to the Owls, but perseverance showed in the final run. An attacking error and serving ace from Malizzi ignited an 8-0 run for Saint Mary, as Aly Camacho earned two kills and Offerle sealed the set on a kill of her own. The Spires took the set 15-10 to complete their memorable comeback.
Offerle and Odom each had double-digit kills with 13 and 10 respectively. Haydan Heuermann led the team with 16 assists and Malizzi had 17 digs. Camacho also added seven total blocks on the night.
UP NEXT
The Spires continue the road trip as they travel to Columbia, Mo. on Saturday to take on Lyon College at 4 p.m. and Stephens College at 6 p.m.