Leavenworth, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Volleyball team played Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Wednesday night, resulting in a 3-1 loss (25-17) (24-26) (21-25) (15-25). The Spires are now 17-7 overall on the season and 5-3 in the KCAC.

In front of an enthusiastic crowd for breast cancer awareness night, Saint Mary was fueled by ten kills from Rylee Kenitzer and ten more from Keagan Shockley. Still, more was needed to rally past Oklahoma Wesleyan.

Shockley and Madison Folsom started things for the Spires in the first set, scoring four out of the team's first six points. Halfway through the set, Saint Mary began to pull away with solid defense. They closed with a 7-3 run to win set one, 25-18. 

Set two began with an early 2-0 lead for the Spires that was erased by the Eagle's 8-1 run. As the Spires began their comeback, Kenitzer and Folsom eventually combined for four kills to tie the set at 15. Saint Mary lost their lead late in the set to lose, 26-24.

The third set began with another run by Oklahoma Wesleyan, jumping out to a 10-6 lead. Points from Courtney Standley in the middle of the set gave the Spires momentum, but the Eagles took the lead and continued to score for the 25-21 win. The Spires started set four down 3-0 until a couple of Eagles errors got USM right back into it. 

However, as the set went on, the Oklahoma Wesleyan regrouped and extended their lead to nine points. Kentizer's late kills were insufficient to overcome the deficit, as Oklahoma Wesleyan won 25-15.

Up Next

The Spires will travel to take on Bethel College at 1 p.m. on Saturday in North Newton, Kansas.