Davenport, IA.— The Spires pushed the Columbia College Cougars (MO) during competitive stretches in the first and third sets, but USM ultimately fell 25-20, 25-15, 25-18 in straight sets Friday at Lee Lohman Arena on day one match one of the St. Ambrose Invitational. Columbia finished with a .247 hitting percentage and eight total blocks, while USM recorded 26 kills, four service aces, 42 digs and three blocks. The Spires now drop to 5-9.
The Spires made an early charge behind
Saige Hadley, whose consecutive aces completed a four-point run and gave Saint Mary an 8-4 lead in the opening set. The Cougars pulled even at 10 and later moved ahead 16-13, but USM stayed within reach.
Kayla Adeoye capped a three-point response with a kill that cut the deficit to 19-18. Columbia then closed the set on a 6-2 run, with Giangreco's solo block securing the 25-20 result.
CC carried that momentum into the second set and built an 11-5 advantage. USM faced its largest deficit at 21-10 before answering with three consecutive points.
Isabella Kietzmann supplied an ace during the run, which brought the Spires within 21-13, but Columbia took the next four points to win 25-15 and move ahead two sets to none.
Saint Mary responded with another strong start in the third. The Spires scored three straight points with
Hannah Weisz serving, including a
Maddison Kruse kill and a block by
Sammy Jo Kirk and
Kaylee Kindall, to take a 13-9 lead. After Columbia tied the score at 14, Kruse delivered another kill to restore the Spire advantage. The Cougars answered with six consecutive points on Vogt's serve, turning the one-point deficit into a 20-15 lead.
The Spires mounted one final rally.
Makenza Holly contributed a kill as Saint Mary scored three straight points to close within 20-18. Columbia stopped the run and claimed the final five points, finishing the third set 25-18 to complete the sweep.
Kruse led USM with seven kills on 24 attacks. Kindall and Holly added five kills apiece, with Kindall contributing two block assists and Holly adding one.
Addison Baker directed the offense with 24 assists while collecting eight digs and an ace.
Dakotah Garcia finished with six digs, and Hadley had four digs to go with her two aces. Kincaid and Giangreco led Columbia with nine kills each, while Giangreco hit .389 as Columbia held USM to a .019 hitting percentage.
Coming Up…
The Spires will face yet another battle on day two. Starting tomorrow morning with the hosts the Saint Ambrose University Fighting Bees at 10 a.m. in Lee Lohman Arena in Davenport. USM will conclude the SAU Invite with the No. 24 ranked Viterbo University V-Hawks immediately following at 12:30 p.m.
