Leavenworth, Kan.— In a tight KCAC showdown at Ryan Sports Center in Leavenworth, Kansas, the USM Spires faced a tough loss against Evangel University on Wednesday, October 29th. Despite early success, the Spires fell to the Valor with a final score of 3-1.

The night kicked off with a promising start for the Spires, taking the first set 25-21, showcasing both resilience and teamwork. Key contributors of the first set included familiar names such as Chloe Byrd who led the team with a mere 16 kills throughout the match, 6 of those coming in the first set. However, the Valor responded vigorously, claiming the second set by the same margin, 25-21.

Momentum seemed to shift as Evangel continued to dominate in the third set, securing a 25-20 victory. The Spires struggled to regain their earlier form, with the fourth set further tipping in favor of Evangel, resulting in a 25-13 win for the Valor. Key players for the Spires like senior leader Gabby Kurle displayed exceptional defensive skills with 33 digs, significantly contributing to the Spires efforts.

Despite the loss, the Spires demonstrated commendable skill with contributions across the board. A few Spires you've come to know such as Ava Bojanski and Morgan Herrera each secured aces, while Herrera also led in assists (22), helping maintain competitive energy throughout the game.

Looking ahead, the Spires are set to face the Bethel College Threshers on Saturday, November 1^st at 2:00 p.m., at Ryan Sports Center for Senior Day. This will be the last chance to catch your Spires at home as we inch closer to post-season action. USM's current record sits at 21-8, holding a 7-3 standing in their conference.