ADRIAN, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University volleyball team opened the Siena Heights University Tournament in exciting fashion with a pair of wins over the University of Northwestern Ohio and Rochester University.

The Cougars defeated Northwestern Ohio in a back-and-forth four-set match (23-25, 25-23, 27-25, 28-26) before sweeping Rochester in three straight sets (25-13, 25-17-25-11)

VS. NORTHWESTERN OHIO

FINAL SCORE: Spring Arbor def. Northwestern Ohio 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 27-25, 28-26)

LOCATION: SHU Fieldhouse | Adrian, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 2-0, Northwestern Ohio 2-3

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

• After dropping the opening set, Spring Arbor battled back to claim the next three, including sets three and four in extra points.
• Three Cougars had double-digit kills. Sydney Ritz led the way with 15, while also adding 10 digs and four blocks. Alison Ford followed with 12 and Claudia Ellis ended the match with 11 while hitting at a .526 clip.
• Setter Sarah Eliason handed out a season-best 41 assists to go along with 10 digs.
• Defensively, Paige Porter picked up a match-high 21 digs and Sarah Chastain finished with 11. Kyara Black posted a career-best 12 blocks as SAU closed with 30 total team blocks.

VS. ROCHESTER

FINAL SCORE: Spring Arbor def. Rochester 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-11)

LOCATION: SHU Fieldhouse | Adrian, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 3-0, Rochester 0-6

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

• Spring Arbor made quick work of Rochester in the second match of the day.
• Ellis and Ford registered seven kills apiece while Macey Rupp and Ritz chipped in five each.
• Elisason dished out 27 assists with two aces, two blocks and six digs.
• Porter notched 14 digs and Black had four blocks.

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor will return for day two of the SHU Tournament on Saturday. The Cougars are set to play Indiana University East at 11 a.m. and Siena Heights at 3 p.m.

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