Winfield, Kan.— The Spires used a highly efficient attack to defeat Southwestern 3-1 in their opening night of KCAC action this evening Wednesday, September 23rd. The Spires won the opening two sets 25-14 and 25-5, dropped the third 25-23 and closed the match with a 25-21 victory in the fourth set.

USM finished with 50 kills and only 10 attack errors on 98 attempts for a .408 hitting percentage. The Spires also held a 10-4 advantage in service aces and totaled five blocks while limiting Southwestern to .140 hitting. Southwestern recorded 40 kills and committed 24 attack errors on 114 swings.

Kaylee Kindall led the Saint Mary offense with 15 kills on .609 hitting and supplied five of the Spires' 10 aces. Kindall also contributed three block assists and finished with a match-high 21.5 points. Saige Hadley added 13 kills while hitting .400 and collected eight digs. Setter Addison Baker directed the attack with 42 assists, helping USM produce multiple efficient performances across the front row.

The Spires established control in the first set with 14 kills and a .414 hitting percentage. Their sharpest stretch followed in the second set, when they did not commit an attack error and hit .667 in the 20-point win. The Moundbuilders responded after the break, hitting .429 and taking the third set by two points to extend the match.

Saint Mary answered with its most productive offensive set of the night. The Spires put down 18 kills and hit .441 in the fourth, finishing the match with the 25-21 decision. Makenza Holly supported the attack with eight kills, no errors and a .615 hitting percentage, while Emma Murphy had four kills on .444 hitting. Murphy also made an impact at the net with two solo blocks and one block assist.

The back row helped push their team to the finish with 41 digs. Daniella Rivera-Perez led the Spires with 10, while Dakotah Garcia added seven digs and three service aces. Southwestern's Johnson posted 14 kills on .423 hitting, but the Spires balance and accuracy proved decisive as USM completed the four-set conference victory.
 
Coming Up…

USM will finally make their way home after a long month on the road with their home opener set for Friday, September 25^th against the Doane University Tigers. Bring your daughter to USM's first home match for free entry as Spire volleyball celebrates National Daughter Day this Friday. Varsity reserve is slated for 5 p.m. with the varsity match taking place directly after at 7 p.m. in the Ryan Sports Center.