MARSHALL, Mo. – The University of Saint Mary volleyball team slipped to Mount Mercy University 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 22-25, 21-25) and swept Culver-Stockton College (25-13, 25-22, 25-19) on the final day of the Missouri Valley Invitational Saturday.

The Spires picked up their 10th win of the season in the process and are now 10-7 overall.

MOUNT MERCY MATCH: The Spires jumped out to a 4-0 lead before Mount Mercy quickly tied it with four points of their own. Saint Mary would go on a run and extend their advantage to 20-14. The Mustangs started to climb back into the set, but the Spires hung on for a 25-22 win.

The second set was a battle as both teams threw jabs. Mount Mercy grabbed a 20-16 lead late in the set and would take the frame 25-21. The final two sets were back and forth, but the Spires could not quite take control down the stretch. Mount Mercy would claim the final two frames by scores of 25-22 and 25-21.

Cody Offerle led the team with 15 kills, while Ashley Van Gieson recorded 19 assists. Jessica Malizzi added a team high 17 digs.

CULVER-STOCKTON MATCH: Saint Mary salvaged their first match with a complete sweep of Culver-Stockton. The Spires jumped out early and often in the first set with a 20-9 lead and rode it out to a 25-13 win. Culver-Stockton would take a 14-10 lead in the second set, but the Spires controlled the tempo later on taking a 20-19 lead. Saint Mary would go on to win 25-22.

The third set was a close one as well, but Saint Mary broke a 16-16 tie to score seven straight points. Four of the points came as service aces from Keishla Reyes. The Spires would go on to take the set 25-19 to sweep the Wildcats 3-0.

Offerle led the team with nine kills and Van Gieson chipped in 18 assists. Reyes recorded 17 digs, while Jaylie Thornton had 16.

UP NEXT
Saint Mary returns home Tuesday night to host Avila University in a nonconference match. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.