ADRIAN, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University volleyball team wrapped up play at the Siena Heights University Invitational on Saturday, splitting its final two matches. The Cougars opened the day with a 3-1 victory over Indiana University East before falling to host Siena Heights in five sets.

Senior Sydney Ritz was one of seven players named to the All-Tournament Team. In four matches, Ritz racked up 53 kills, 51 digs, four aces and eight blocks.

VS. INDIANA EAST

FINAL SCORE: Spring Arbor def. Indiana East 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 34-32, 26-24)

LOCATION: SHU Fieldhouse | Adrian, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 4-0, Indiana East 1-3

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

• All four sets were decided by two points with sets three and four needing extra points. Indiana East claimed the first set, but Spring Arbor rallied back by winning the next three.
• Ritz led the way for the Cougars with a team-high 17 kills and 14 digs. Claudia Ellis finished with nine kills and a .500 hitting percentage while Alison Ford added seven kills, three aces and 10 digs.
• Setter Sarah Eliason directed the offense with 31 assists while also chipping in 10 digs and three blocks. Paige Porter picked up a team-best 16 digs and Kyara Black had six blocks.

VS. SIENA HEIGHTS

FINAL SCORE: Siena Heights def. Spring Arbor 3-2 (23-25, 25-22, 25-15, 35-37, 15-11)

LOCATION: SHU Fieldhouse | Adrian, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 4-1, Siena Heights 2-2

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

• Spring Arbor fell behind Siena Heights 2-sets-to-1 before winning a marathon fourth set, 37-35, to force a decisive fifth set. However, the Saints prevailed 15-11 to deal the Cougars their first loss of the season.
• Ritz and Ellis paced SAU with 16 and 12 kills, respectively. Ritz also registered a pair of aces and a career-high 23 digs. Black finished with seven kills and nine blocks, including six solo.
• In addition to Ritz, four Cougars recorded double digit digs. Porter had 22, Eliason had 17, Ford finished with 14 and Sarah Chastain picked up 13.
• Eliason also handed out a season-high 45 assists.

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor opens Crossroads League play with a trip to Indiana Wesleyan University (7-0) on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

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