Hillsboro, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Volleyball team opened KCAC play Wednesday night on the road against Tabor College, the Spires won in five sets (17-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-12). Saint Mary is now 9-8 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
The Spires had trouble getting things going, dropping the first two sets to the Blue Jays. Tabor got on the board quickly in set one and took an early 10-5 lead over Saint Mary. The lead was cut down after a small run by the Spires, making it 13-11 heading into the later part of the set. A kill by Devyn Ford got Saint Mary back within two points of the Blue Jays, down 16-18, but a late run by Tabor sealed the first set.
In set two, the Bluejays had the Spires on their heels again to start, building a 10-1 lead. Saint Mary responded with an extended run of their own, and after a kill from Rylee Kenitzer, the score was tied at 11. Each team jostled for a lead as the back half of the set continued, but with just four points to go, the score sat at 21-21. Tabor scored the last four points in a row to take set two 25-21, needing just one win to send the Spires home.
Saint Mary bounced back after the two straight losses and opened set three with an 8-2 run that ended with a kill from Ainsley Gardner. Tabor began to chip away at the Spire lead, but they could not match the offensive production of Saint Mary, who had a comfortable 24-18 lead. A late run threatened the extended lead with five straight points, but the Spires were able to close out set three 25-23. Set four was a close one that had five different lead changes. With the score tied at 13, each team was looking for a spark that gave them a commanding edge. Saint Mary went down 18-15 shortly after but did not give up and went on a 9-1, with Gardner having three kills throughout the run.
That stretch of points gave the Spires all the momentum they needed to close out the fourth set and force a fifth and final set. Saint Mary started the fifth set how they started set three, taking an early comfortable lead and refusing to let go of it. Up 7-3, the Spires continued the offensive pressure and held off the Bluejays to win 15-12. Kenitzer and Gardner each had 15 kills on the night. Haydan Heuerman had 35 assists, and Laney Ward had 28 digs on defense for the Spires.
We started out lethargic but were able to ste up enough to get things done in the last three sets," said Head Coach Amy Beall. "Tabor is a good team and certainly better than their record shows. I'm certain we will learn some lessons from tonight and come out stronger after this one."
Up Next
Saint Mary will be on the road to play against College of the Ozarks at 7 p.m. on Friday in Point Lookout, Missouri.
