Canton, Mo.-In game one in Canton, Mo., the Spires edged out a hard-fought victory against the Stephens College Stars with a final score of Saint Mary 3, Stephens 2.

The Spires yet again seized the initial set convincingly with a score of 25-15. However, the tide turned in the second set when Stephens rallied to claim it 25-21. The battle intensified through the third and fourth sets, with Saint Mary taking the third at 25-22 and Stephens responding by capturing the fourth at 25-22. Rallying with determination, the Spires clinched the decisive fifth set with a commanding 15-8 victory, ensuring their overall triumph in this neck-and-neck contest.

Key performances were notable throughout the match, spearheaded by Emma Scalise with a remarkable 20 kills. Supporting this effort, Chloe Byrd added 14 kills and 3 blocks, while MJ Stephens contributed significantly with 13 kills and 5 aces. The defensive efforts were led by Makenza Holly, who tallied 5 blocks. On the backend, Gabby Kurle led with 20 digs, showcasing a robust defense. In terms of setting up plays, Morgan Herrera has been instrumental with 27 assists, closely followed by Addison Baker who provided 24 assists for the team.

This victory is a testament to the skill and tenacity of the Spires as they continue their pursuit of excellence this season, showcasing both their powerful offense and defensive resilience in critical moments of play.
 
In game two of the day against the Culver-Stockton Wildcats, USM made a clean sweep with a final score of 3-0.

The Spires have made a habit of clinching the first set, winning it by a score of 25-19. They continued their strong performance in the second and third sets with scores of 25-17 and 25-12, respectively. The consistent lead in each set demonstrated the Spires' dominance on the court.

Key players for the Spires included MJ Stephens, who led with a total of 9 kills, closely followed by Sophia Frerking and Emma Scalise, each contributing 6 kills. Scalise not only excelled in attacks but also in defense, registering 2 blocks along with Frerking and Makenza Holly. Additionally, the team's defensive efforts were bolstered again by Gabby Kurle, who secured 12 digs and made a significant impact with 3 service aces. The team's strategic setups were orchestrated by Addison Baker and Morgan Herrera, who offered 18 and 15 assists respectively.

Looking ahead, the Spires are set to continue their season at the Ryan Sports Center for Breast Cancer Awareness Night on Wednesday, October 15th at 6:00 p.m. against the thirteenth ranked Eagles of Oklahoma Wesleyan University (5-1). Your Spires hold a current record of 17-6 and 4-1 in KCAC play.