Baldwin City, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary volleyball team opened the season on the road Wednesday night against the Baker University Wildcats.

The Wildcats took a 4-1 lead on the Spires early in the first set. Each team went back and forth, and soon it was tied, 13-13, after a service ace from Emma Prothe. Baker then went on a 6-2 scoring run to take a 19-15 lead. Working their way back into the lead, Saint Mary won the first set, scoring the last four points and winning 25-23.

In set two, the Spires put the pressure on Baker early and jumped out to a 6-3 lead on the Wildcats. Baker continued to score, and after a kill from Rylee Kenitzer, the score was even at 12-12 heading into the back stretch of the set. Saint Mary went on a 5-1 scoring run after that and soon had a 19-15 lead. The Spires would not look back and won the set 25-19 with a 2-0 lead.

Set three brought more of the same for the Spires as they would keep up the pressure and take a 9-5 at the start of the third. Baker was unable to match the scoring of Saint Mary, and soon the Spires were up 15-10 on back-to-back service aces from Ava Bojanski. Saint Mary ended the game on a 14-1 run, closing out the set 25-11, winning 3-0, and securing the first win of the year. Michelle Dvorak led the Spires with nine kills, and Laney Ward had 14 digs on the day. Haydan Heuermann and Ivory Howat each had 13 assists in the win.

Up Next

The Spires will take on St. Ambrose University in Parkville, Missouri, on Friday at 4 pm.