Parkville, Mo.—
 
Game One:
The Spires used strong serving and a balanced attack to sweep Hannibal-LaGrange (MO) 25-11, 25-21, 25-14 this morning on day two of the Park University Tournament.

Saige Hadley led the attack with 10 kills, a .412 hitting percentage and six service aces. The Spires finished with 36 kills and hit .242 as a team while holding the trojans to 24 kills and a .059 hitting percentage. USM also held advantages in aces (12-2), digs (53-46) and blocks (6-3).

A kill by Sammy Jo Kirk completed a three-point run and gave Saint Mary a 7-3 lead in the opening set. After Hannibal-LaGrange pulled within 7-5, USM took control by building a 17-7 advantage. Emma Murphy delivered a kill during a six-point run, and Hadley closed the 25-11 win with an ace.

Hannibal-LaGrange produced its strongest response in the second set, turning an 11-8 deficit into a 13-11 lead. The Spires answered with three consecutive points, capped by an ace from Addison Baker, to regain the advantage at 14-13. A kill by Makenza Holly later finished another three-point run for a 20-16 lead. HLGU saved three set points and trimmed the margin to 24-21 before Kamari Lee put away the set-winning kill.

USM quickly erased a 3-1 deficit in the third set. Hadley recorded four consecutive kills during an 8-0 run that pushed the Spires ahead 9-3. Saige would then supply four aces in a five-point service run, extending the lead to 16-7. A service error from the Trojans completed the 25-14 set and the sweep.

Several players contributed to the efficient performance. Makenza Holly had six kills and hit .417, while Emma Murphy added five kills. Kaylee Kindall contributed three kills, two aces and five total blocks, including one solo block. Addison Baker distributed 17 assists and collected seven digs, and Phenyx Reust added 14 assists, two aces and seven digs. Defensively, Daniella Rivera-Perez recorded nine digs and Dakotah Garcia finished with eight as USM completed the straight-set victory.

Game Two:

The Spires overcame late deficits in the first and third sets to defeat Wayland Baptist (TX) 25-23, 25-19, 27-25 in straight sets in their final game in Parkville. USM finished with advantages in kills, hitting percentage and blocks while repeatedly delivering under pressure.

Saint Mary trailed 22-18 in the opening set and remained behind 23-20 before closing with five consecutive points for the win. Kaylee Kindall powered the comeback with three straight kills, turning a 23-21 deficit into a 24-23 lead. A Wayland Baptist attack error completed the rally and gave the Spires a 25-23 victory.

The Spires created their clearest separation in the second set. Leading 13-11, USM put together a four-point run to extend the margin to six. The Spires hit a match-best .222 in the set and maintained the advantage until Sammy Jo Kirk delivered the final kill for a 25-19 win and a two-set lead.

WBU built a 12-7 advantage in the third set, but the Spires answered again and pulled even at 13-13 on a service ace by Isabella Kietzmann. The Pioneers moved back in front 23-20 and reached set point. A kill by Emma Murphy tied the score at 24, but Wayland Baptist responded to take a 25-24 lead. A setting error brought the Spires level again, Kindall followed with a block for match point, and Saige Hadley finished the 27-25 win with the match-ending kill.

Kaylee Kindall led the Spires with 13 kills, a .357 hitting percentage and three total blocks, finishing with 16.5 points. Makenza Holly added five kills without an attack error, hit .556 and contributed a team-high five total blocks. Saige Hadley recorded six kills, while Emma Murphy had five kills and three total blocks.

The Spires totaled 40 kills to Wayland Baptist's 36 and hit .176 compared with the Pioneers' .088. USM also doubled Wayland Baptist's block total, 10-5. Addison Baker directed the attack with 22 assists and added 13 digs, while Dakotah Garcia collected a team-high 14 digs. Isabella Kietzmann finished with four service aces and 11 digs as USM completed the sweep with its second comeback of the match to finish their weekend off on a high note.
 
Coming Up…
USM will compete slightly closer to home next week as they travel to Olathe, Kansas to take on MidAmerica Nazarene University. The cross-town match is slated for 7:00 p.m. in the Cook Center.