Parkville, Mo.- The University of Saint Mary Volleyball team started the Park University tournament Friday against the Saint Ambrose Bees. The Spires won in three sets, 25-20, 25-21, and 25-23.

The Saint Mary attack started strong in set one, as the Spires led early 8-6. A five-point run, sparked by a kill from junior Keagan Shockley, gave the Spires a comfortable seven-point lead. Saint Mary kept up the offensive pressure until the Bees had a run of their own and brought the set to within three at 19-16. However, the Spires held onto the lead, closed out set one 25-20, and took a 1-0 lead.

In set two, an early nine-point run for Saint Ambrose gave the Bees a 10-6 lead. Saint Mary did not flinch and fought their way back into the set after a 9-1 run making the score 16-13 in favor of the Spires. Things went back and forth, with Saint Mary holding on to a tight 22-21 lead. A kill by Michelle Dvorak helped Saint Mary get the last three points and win set two 25-21.

The third and final set of the game was perhaps the most exciting, with Saint Ambrose holding the lead for most of the set. An early four-point run gave the Bees a 5-3 lead which they were determined to hold on to. The Saint Mary offense kept up with the Bees and held around long enough to tie the game at 20 a piece. Rylee Kenitzer got a kill that gave the Spires a 21-20 lead, one that Saint Mary would hold on to for the rest of the set and win by a score of 25-23. Kenitzer and Dvorak both had seven kills on the day, while Haydan Heuermann led the team with 18 assists. Defensively Emma Prothe had a team-high eight digs, with Laney Ward and Ava Bojanski close behind at seven.

Up Next

The Spires continue their tournament Saturday with a doubleheader against Morningside University at 10 am and Park University at 4 pm in Parkville, Missouri.