2019 Volleyball NAIA National Championship Pool Play Schedule

SIOUX CITY, Iowa. – Playing their second consecutive ranked team in Pool Play at the NAIA National Championship, the University of Saint Mary volleyball team slipped to Concordia in three sets (15-25, 18-25, 18-25) Wednesday night at the Tyson Events Center.

The Spires are now 30-12 overall, while Concordia improves to 25-6 on the season.

Saint Mary fell behind early in the first set, 7-1, which forced a timeout from the Spires. The Spires would start to whittle the deficit out of the timeout after a service error by the Bulldogs and kill from Cali Odom. Concordia however, bolstered their lead at 20-9 and ended the set on a kill, 25-15.

USM grabbed a 3-0 lead in the second set before the Bulldogs tied the score. Both teams traded punches before the Spires fell behind 21-16. Concordia rattled off three straight points and would take the second set, 25-18.

The Spires would stay on the heels of the Bulldogs in the final set, trailing 8-7. Concordia then went on a 10-3 run to take an 18-10 lead. The Spires were unable to muster a comeback and Concordia took the set 25-18.

Anna Hester led the team with seven kills, while Haydan Heuermann recorded 14 assists. Keishla Reyes totaled 13 digs and Jessica Malizzi finished with eight.

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The Spires will take on No. 19 Montana Tech University on Thursday at 8 p.m.