The University of Saint Mary Volleyball team opened up conference play last week and competed in the Avila Eagles tournament this past weekend. They finished the week with a 1-4 record and stand with a 4-5 record overall.

The team's win this weekend came against Benedictine-Springfield. Peyton Pender led the attack with 13 kills. Aubrey Harris aided as well with 10 kills of her own. Danielle Dowdy played a strong role in the offensive attack of the Spires by piling up 32 assists. Defensively, the Spires put together 55 digs with Allie Massanet leading with 13. Megan Fischer and Paige Brandt added 11 digs of their own.

Head Coach Sarah Johnson remains confident in her team.

"Even though our record this week wasn't what we hoped for, we are definitely seeing progress as a team. One of the greatest obstacles we are facing this year is our youth and the amount of newcomers we have on the team. We are still learning to play together, and I am looking forward to how we progress this year as we all come together and hit on all cylinders."

The volleyball team will be back in action this week with a conference match against Friends University on Wednesday, Sept. 11. This coming weekend, the Spires will participate in another tournament -- this time in the LaQuinta Invitational put on by Kansas Wesleyan. On Friday they will take on Southwestern Assemblies of God and St. Gregory's. On Saturday they will face Central Methodist and John Brown University.