Leavenworth, Kan.— The University of Saint Mary defeated Doane University 3-0 this evening in straight sets, winning 25-16, 25-18, 25-17 at the Ryan Sports Center. The Spires finished with 46 kills, 56 digs, five aces and six blocks while improving to 8-10.

USM established its dominant attack immediately. Addison Baker opened the match with an ace, and Emma Murphy followed with two kills as the Spires took the first four points. Doane recovered to move ahead 11-10, but the Spires responded with six of the next seven points. Kaylee Kindall supplied a kill and a block during the run, helping the Spires build a 16-12 advantage. Saige Hadley eventually delivered the set-ending kill for a 25-16 win.

The Tigers again claimed a narrow lead in the second set, going ahead 8-7 before Saint Mary seized control with five consecutive points. Kindall recorded two kills and Baker added another during the surge. With the Spires leading later in the set, Hadley put down three kills and Kathryn VanSkiver served an ace during a four-point run that stretched the margin to 22-14. Kayla Adeoye closed the set at 25-18 with a kill off Baker's assist.

The Spires avoided an early deficit in the third set, taking a 7-2 lead on a Makenza Holly kill. Doane cut the margin to 12-9, but the Spires had an answer with three straight points, including consecutive kills by Hadley and Murphy. Dakotah Garcia served an ace during another four-point run that made it 23-15, and Baker completed the sweep with her third ace of the match for a 25-17 victory.

Hadley led the Saint Mary offense with 12 kills on .308 hitting and completed a double-double with 10 digs. Baker directed the attack with 31 assists while adding nine digs, two kills and a block assist. Garcia led the back-row defense with 13 digs and also contributed six assists. The Spires committed only 12 attack errors on 114 attempts.

USM also received balanced production across the front row. Kindall had nine kills, six digs and four total blocks, including the team's lone solo block. Murphy added nine kills and three block assists, Adeoye finished with eight kills, and Holly recorded six kills on a team-best .353 hitting percentage. Williams led Doane, which fell to 4-13, with nine kills, but the Spires limited the Tigers to a negative hitting percentage in two of the three sets and finished the match on Baker's service ace.
 
 
Coming Up…

The Spires will stay at home for one more this week as they host KCAC foe the Friends University Falcons on Wednesday, September 30^th at 7 p.m. in the Ryan Sports Center. Friends enters the contest sitting at 8-8 overall and yet to start conference play, while your Spire volleyball team has now improved to 9-10 overall and 1-0 in KCAC action.