2019 NAIA Volleyball National Championship Pool Play Schedule

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The University of Saint Mary volleyball team fell in straight sets (16-25, 18-25, 18-25) to No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan University in their first action at the NAIA National Championships, inside the Tyson Events Center Tuesday night.

Saint Mary is now 30-11 overall, while IWU moves to 35-1 on the season.

Saint Mary trailed by just a score of 7-4 in the first set to a tough Wildcats squad. Indiana Wesleyan would build on the lead to make it 21-11 before Cody Offerle earned two kills to cut the deficit back to single digits. Aly Camacho would earn a kill two points later, but IWU would secure the set 25-16.

Indiana Wesleyan built a big lead in the second set at 15-7, but Hana Ronnebaum and Cali Odom gave the Spires some life – each getting kills followed by an error from the Wildcats. Saint Mary trailed 15-10. Indiana Wesleyan would extend their lead, while Saint Mary tried to chip away. Saint Mary trailed 22-17 and would fall in set two, 25-18.

The Spires came out strong in the third set, keeping pace with Indiana Wesleyan. With a 5-2 lead, the Spires battled and would later break a 10-10 tie after a kill from Jessica Malizzi. The Spires would fall behind 15-12 to the Wildcats before IWU went on a 7-3 run to make it 22-15. The Spires earned three straight points off attacking errors from IWU. The Wildcats however would score the final points and win 25-18.

Offerle led the team with eight kills, while Haydan Heuermann racked up 11 assists. Keishla Reyes would lead the team with 18 digs.

UP NEXT
The Spires will play in their second match of pool play tomorrow against No. 15 Concordia University at 8 p.m.