COLUMBIA, Mo. – After splitting the first two sets on the night, the University of Saint Mary volleyball team was unable to keep pace with No. 20 Columbia College as the Spires fell 3-1 to the Cougars, Friday night.

Saint Mary now stands at 9-6 on the season.

Saint Mary controlled most of the first set holding a comfortable lead. The Spires jumped out to a 9-4 lead over the Cougars as Hannah Vanriette and Kiara Pena earned back-to-back kills, while Abby Hairell recorded a service ace. The Spires would build on the lead making it 16-12 after Michelle Dvorak slammed down a kill, but Columbia would rattle off four straight points to tie the score. With the set becoming a back-and-forth battle, the Spires fell behind 24-20. Despite scoring three straight points thereafter, the Cougars were able to take the first set 25-23.

The Spires were able to take a lead in the second set again, holding a steady lead throughout the frame. Saint Mary gave themselves some breathing room after leading 20-18, by scoring three straight points. Rylee Kenitzer and Jessica Malizzi both earned kills during the stretch. They were then able to score two of the final three points in the set to tie the match at 1-1, taking set two 25-19. Columbia would bounce back against the Spires in the third set, winning 25-19, after grabbing a late 20-14 lead in the frame.

In the fifth set, the Spires and Cougars battled to a 4-4 tie. Saint Mary would fall behind as Columbia went on a 7-0 run to take an 11-4 advantage. The Spires were unable to recover and the Cougars would win the fourth set 25-11.

Keagan Shockley led the team with 10 kills on the night, while Haydan Heuermann and Hairell combined for 31 assists. Keishla Reyes added 17 digs.

Saint Mary returns to action tomorrow when they take on William Woods University in Fulton, Mo. at 4 p.m.