Wichita, Kan.—In an exciting Wednesday evening in Wichita, Kansas, USM Spire volleyball team triumphed over the Friends Falcons with a final score of 3-1.

The Spires took an early lead by clinching the first set 25-17, hoping to build on an aggressive first set. However, the Falcons bounced back in the second set with a decisive 25-18 win, leveling the play. The third set proved to be the most testing, with a neck-to-neck scoreline that eventually tipped in favor of the Spires at 26-24, performing great under pressure and heading into the final, and what would be final, set. The Spires then secured the match with a victory in the fourth set showing a solid 25-20 score.

Key players such as Emma Scalise, Saige Hadley, and Chloe Byrd were instrumental in the Spires' offense, each contributing 12 kills. Chloe Byrd also led the team with 2 blocks. The defensive efforts were, as always, bolstered by Gabby Kurle, providing 19 digs, accompanied by Dakotah Garcia and Ava Bojanski, who both contributed 13 digs each. Bojanski again stood out with her remarkable performance at the service line, delivering a total of 7 aces.

The team coordination was evident through their assists, with Addison Baker leading at 25, followed by Morgan Herrera with 22. Their strategic plays and the ability to connect with their hitters was fundamental in clinching the match.

With the focus now shifting to Saturday, the Spires will face the Coyotes of Kansas Wesleyan (8-9, 2-1) on Saturday, October 4^th at 2:00 p.m. back on their home court at the Ryan Sports Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. Your Spire volleyball squad currently holds a record of 13-6 overall and 3-1 in the conference.