Leavenworth, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Volleyball took on McPherson College Thursday night, resulting in a three-set win (29-27, 26-24, 25-16). The Spires are now 12-10 and 2-2 in conference play heading into a mid-week matchup with Bethany College on Tuesday.

The Spires got off to a fast start for the first set as service ace's by Emma Prothe combined with kills by Michelle Dvorak, Rylee Kenitzer, and Ainsley Gardner all helped give the Spires the 10-3 lead. The Bulldogs quickly matched the offensive production of Saint Mary, and soon they led 14-13. Saint Mary responded, as Gardner, Dvorak, and Keagan Shockley all contributed key kills. Shockley and Kenitzer helped the Spires in a big way as they edged the Bulldogs in a 29-27 victory.

Saint Mary went back and forth with McPherson early in set two as Prothe had three straight aces during a five-point run by the Spires. After a scoring run of their own, the Bulldogs again kept it close in the later stages of the set. Saint Mary was able to regroup and close the door, with Devyn Ford and Kenitzer having multiple kills and winning the second set 26-24.

The Bulldogs took an early 4-1 lead to begin the third and final set. Saint Mary yet again regrouped, and with the help of Kenitzer and Shockley, the Spires fought back to tie the game up at 10-10. Back and forth they went until Saint Mary pulled away for a six-point streak highlighted by Shockley and Dvorak kills with the help of a few McPherson errors. A kill by Ivory Howat would give the Spires all they needed to take the victory 25-16.

Shockley led the team in kills with 11, while Haydan Heuermann had 17 assists on the night.

Up Next

The Spires will host Bethany College at 7 p.m. Tuesday night at Ryan Sports Center.