OSKALOOSA, Iowa. – Two long battles on the final day of the William Penn University Labor Day Classic ended in a split for the University of Saint Mary volleyball team on Sunday. The Spires defeated William Penn 3-1 (25-27, 25-19, 25-18, 25-23) and fell 3-1 (11-25, 25-22, 24-26, 20-25) to Dakota Wesleyan University.

The Spires will return home with a 5-3 overall record on the season.

WILLIAM PENN MATCH: After falling in a close first set to William Penn 25-27, the Spires bounced back with two straight set wins against the Statesmen. In the second set, the Spires sprinted out to a 7-0 lead and rode that to an early 10-2 lead after a kill from Stephanie Reichenberger. William Penn cut the score to 17-16, but the Spires rallied to take the set 25-19. Saint Mary would jump out to an 11-3 lead in frame number three and controlled the tempo, eventually winning the set 25-18.

Both teams battled back and forth in the final set with the Spires falling behind 11-7. Cody Offerle and Cali Odom would combined for a string of kills midway to get USM back in the set and the Spires eventually tied the score at 23. A kill from Jessica Malizzi and attack error from WPU ended the set and match, with the Spires winning 25-23.

Anna Hester led the way with 17 kills and Haydan Heuermann had 31 assists. Malizzi and Keishla Reyes each had 20 digs, while Hester added five total blocks.

DAKOTA WESLEYAN MATCH: The Spires would play another four setter in the nightcap that led to Dakota Wesleyan taking the first set at 25-11, as they closed the set on a 9-0 run. The second set featured each team trading points early on where both teams would work their way to a 19-19 tie. After Hester earned a kill for the Spires to give them a 22-20 advantage, DWU tied the set at 22. Saint Mary would score the final three points to take the frame, 25-22.

Dakota Wesleyan would win the final two sets by scores of 26-24 and 25-20, to take the match 3-1.

Hester racked up 13 kills in the match, while Heuermann had 29 assists. Reyes pitched in 20 digs.

Saint Mary returns home where they will take on Benedictine College in their home opener on Wednesday. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.