LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – Yet another five-set thriller for the first place University of Saint Mary volleyball team was on tap Wednesday night as they took on the second place Bethany College Swedes in the Ryan Sports Center. Both teams battled to the very end as Bethany was able to come out on top, 3-2 (23-25, 25-18, 22-25, 25-13, 14-16). It was also Senior Night as Lexi Schamberger, Jaylie Thornton, Devyn Colvin, Aly Camacho, Bianca Asheim, Ashley Van Gieson Jazmin Benally, McKenzie Kueker, Cody Offerle and Cali Odom were honored prior to the match.

The Spires are now 26-9 overall and 10-1 in the KCAC, with another shot to clinch the KCAC regular season title on Saturday against Avila.

The first set was an epic back and forth toggle as both teams traded points early on. The teams worked their way to a 23-23 tie where Bethany would score two straight points off kills from Georgia Romine-Black. Saint Mary worked their way to a 20-15 lead in the second set. Offerle would strike for two straight kills and a service ace after a point from the Swedes. Anna Hester then picked up a kill followed by an attacking error by the Swedes to give the Spires a 25-18 lead.

In the third set, USM led 21-20 before Bethany scored three straight points. The Swedes would then take a 2-1 match lead with the 25-22 set win. The fourth set was all Saint Mary as they pinned Bethany up against the wall with a 9-2 run to start the frame. Bethany cut the deficit to five, but USM would take a 22-11 lead with a kill from Hester and Schamberger. Van Gieson earned a kill and an attacking error from the Swedes gave the Spires a 25-13 set win.

Saint Mary fell behind in the fifth set at 11-9, but two straight kills from Offerle tied the set at 11. Offerle and Hester would later tag team for one kill apiece to give Saint Mary a 13-12 lead. Saint Mary would find themselves up 14-13, but the Swedes scored three straight points to take the set 16-14.

Offerle led the Spires with a career high 27 kills and Haydan Heuermann had 29 assists. Keishla Reyes totaled 30 digs.

UP NEXT
The Spires travel to Avila on Saturday to close out the regular season and a shot to clinch the KCAC regular season title. First serve is set for 2 p.m.