Hutchinson, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Volleyball team took on the Ottawa Braves in the KCAC Semifinal round Friday, winning in five sets (13-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-15, 15-11). The Spires have now won six straight matches on their way to the KCAC Championship game.

Set one started off rocky for the Spires but came within three points of the Braves after two errors on Ottawa's part. However, the Spires could not keep up with the Braves in set one and fell 25-13. In Set two, Saint Mary found their rhythm, and after a service ace from Ava Bojanski, the Spires were down 8-9. Two kills from Devyn Ford helped Saint Mary go on a 5-1 run and take a 15-13 lead. The Spires continued to build their lead in the later part of the set, but the Braves kept it close, going on a run of their own. Errors from Ottawa helped Saint Mary seal set two and tie things up at 1-1.

The third set started differently than the first two, with the Spires keeping things close. The Braves had an extended run that gave them a comfortable lead moving into the later part of the set, taking a 14-10 lead. A service ace from Laney Ward and two errors from Ottawa brought Saint Mary within one, down 14-13. Rylee Kenitzer had three kills right at the end of the set, but the Spires could not keep up with the Braves and lost set three 25-23. Kenitzer picked up where she left off in set four, scoring the first four out of seven points. Saint Mary flexed its offensive output, building a comfortable 13-5 lead. Ottawa could not keep up with the Spires in set four and fell quickly by a score of 25-15.

The fifth and final set was arguably the best of the match. Kenitzer again scored the first three of five points for the Spires, but Ottawa was right there with Saint Mary as the score was tied at seven apiece. Two kills from Kenitzer and Madison Folsom gave the Spires a 14-11 lead needing just one point to complete the upset. An attacking error by the Braves gave Saint Mary the 15-11 win and a birth in the conference championship game. Kenitzer had 22 kills on the night, while Ward had 33 digs and Haydan Heuermann had 55 assists on the night.

Up Next

The Spires are set to play the winner of the Friends University versus Oklahoma Wesleyan semifinal game at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Hutchinson, Kansas.