Ottawa, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Volleyball took on Columbia College and Hastings College today, losing both games. The Spires are now 8-7 going into tomorrow's matchup against Doane University.

Game One

A true back-and-forth classic was the story of the first set as Saint Mary found a way to win 38-36. The set was highlighted by important kills from Devyn Ford, Michelle Dvorak, and Keagan Shockley. Set two featured multiple kills from Ainsley Gardner and Rylee Kenitzer as the Spires rolled to a 25-18 victory. Columbia pulled away halfway through the third set after an extended run to get them a 25-16 victory, making it a 2-1 game. The fourth set was neck and neck until the Cougars pulled away at 12-8 and got on a roll to go up 22-14. The Spires would battle back as Shockley and Ford had key kills to give the Spires a chance. To no avail as the Cougars slammed the door with a 25-18 win.

The Spires gave the Cougars all they had left in set five as they got down early 6-1. Saint Mary clawed their way back into the set with Kenitzer, Shockley, and Garnder contributing with kills to tie the game at 10-10. However, multiple errors by Saint Mary combined with Columbia's kills gave them an 18-16 win. Shockley and Gardner combined for 31 Kills as Haydan Heuermann and Abby Hairell combined for 61 assists.

Game Two

Set one of game two was a close struggle, with each team keeping up the offensive pressure. The Spires jumped out to an 8-5 lead after a kill from Ford and had the momentum on their side. Soon after that, Hastings went on two different extended runs, and the set quickly changed in favor of the Broncos. Saint Mary stuck around throughout the middle parts of the set, but could not keep up with Hastings and lost set one 15-25. Saint Mary and Hastings were not able to take a comfortable lead in set two, which had four different lead changes. A late run for the Broncos gave them a lead that the Spires could not recover from and made the score 2-0 in favor of Hastings.

The third set was similar to the first, with each team going back and forth, with the game tied at nine. Then, the Spires went on an 8-1 that was sparked by a kill from Gardner, making it 17-10. Hastings had an answer of their own, and after a run of their own, they came within one. Saint Mary persevered through the Bronco's run and won set three by a score of 25-21. In set four, the Spires got down early and were unable to catch up with the offensive production of the Broncos. Shockey would lead Saint Mary in game two with 19 kills.

Up Next

The Spires will finish the Ottawa Invitation against Doane University at 12 p.m. on Saturday in Ottawa, Kansas.