Springfield, Mo.— USM volleyball lost 3-1 to the Evangel University Valor on Wednesday, October 28, at AGFinancial Arena in Springfield, Mo., falling 25-14, 24-26, 25-23, 25-22. The Spires moved to 6-4 in conference play, while Evangel improved to 8-3.

Maddison Kruse led the Spires with 12 kills and hit .229, while Kaylee Kindall contributed 11 kills, a .250 hitting percentage and six blocks. Saige Hadley added 10 kills and eight digs. Addison Baker directed the offense with 33 assists and contributed 16 digs, while Daniela Rivera-Perez anchored the back row with a team-high 23 digs.

Dakotah Garcia served an ace to give the Spires an early 4-3 lead in the opening set, but Evangel finished with 16 kills and a .414 hitting percentage to take control. USM managed four kills and hit minus .037 before finding its offensive rhythm in the second set. A Kruse kill capped a four-point run for a 10-6 advantage, and the Spires finished the set with 17 kills and a .262 hitting percentage.

The second-set victory required a late comeback after Evangel moved ahead 23-19. Kindall started a five-point surge with a kill, Kruse supplied two kills and the pair combined for a block before an Evangel attack error put the Spires ahead 24-23. A service error tied the score, but Kruse earned another kill for set point. Hadley then finished the 26-24 win with a kill assisted by Rivera-Perez.

Kindall's solo block gave USM a 9-7 lead in the third set before Evangel answered with seven consecutive points and later stretched the margin to 17-11. The Spires rallied again, pulling even at 21 on a combined block by Hadley and Kindall against Hawkins. USM also tied the set at 22 and 23, but Pritchett and Daniels delivered the final two kills to give Evangel a 2-1 match lead.

The Spires erased another late deficit in the fourth, scoring three straight points from 21-18 down and tying the set on a Sammy Jo Kirk kill assisted by Baker. Evangel regained a two-point lead before a service error brought the Spires within 23-22. Hawkins answered with a kill and a solo block to finish the match. Saint Mary held a 10-7 edge in team blocks, with Kruse and Makenza Holly each contributing four block assists. Kathryn VanSkiver supplied two of the Spires' five aces and added nine digs, matching Garcia's dig total. Evangel finished with a 62-43 advantage in kills and hit .232 to the Spires .112.
 
Coming Up…

USM will stay on the road this weekend as they travel to North Newton, Kansas to the home of the Bethel College Threshers. Set one is slated for 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 31^st.