Peru, Neb.— Peru State rallied after dropping an extended opening set to defeat the Spires 3-1 this evening in Nebraska. The Bobcats won 29-31, 25-21, 25-14, 27-25.

USM claimed a back-and-forth first set behind a late surge. A kill by Kaylee Kindall completed a three-point run for a 23-18 lead, the Spires' largest advantage of the set. Peru State responded and tied the score at 24 on consecutive attack errors, extending the frame. The teams continued trading points until Kindall delivered the deciding kill for a 31-29 Saint Mary victory.

The Spires carried that momentum into the second set, building a 10-6 advantage after a kill by Saige Hadley capped a four-point run. USM remained ahead 18-15 before Peru State answered with four consecutive points to take a 19-18 lead. The Bobcats maintained the advantage from there and evened the match with a 25-21 win.

Peru State opened the third set with five straight points. Saint Mary responded with three in a row, including a kill from Emma Murphy that reduced the deficit to 5-3, but the Bobcats pulled away for a 25-14 victory. Peru State finished with 58 kills and a .252 hitting percentage, compared with 53 kills and a .169 percentage for the Spires. USM held an 8-6 advantage in total blocks and recorded 69 digs.

The fourth set included 15 ties and nine lead changes. A kill by Makenza Holly put the Spires ahead 23-22, and Kindall later erased Peru State's first match point with a kill for a 24-24 tie. Another kill by Kindall evened the set at 25, but a Spire service error gave Peru State a 26-25 advantage. An attack error on the next point ended the set and match, leaving Saint Mary with a 5-8 record.

Kaylee Kindall led the Spires attack with 15 kills on 24 attempts and only one attack error, producing a .583 hitting percentage. Kaylee Kindall also contributed four total blocks and 18.5 points. Emma Murphy added 11 kills, while Maddison Kruse finished with nine kills and hit .400. Addison Baker directed the offense with 33 assists and added 14 digs and two service aces. Dakotah Garcia led the back row with 18 digs. For Peru State, Wiebers recorded a match-high 21 kills, 13 digs and two aces.
 
Coming Up…

The Spires will look to make the most of their final non-con weekend tournament as they head to Davenport, Iowa for the St. Ambrose Tournament. USM will open up the weekend on Friday, September 11^th against the Columbia College Cougars at 6:30 PM in Lee Lohman Arena.