UPLAND, Ind. – The Spring Arbor University volleyball team turned in a perfect record at the Taylor University Amber McClure Fayerweather Memorial Tournament, going 4-0 on the weekend, including three five-set victories.
 
The Cougars opened by topping Lawrence Tech and Concordia University on Friday before notching a pair of five-set, comeback wins on Saturday against Thomas More University and Clarke University.

Two SAU players were named to the all-tournament team - Alison Nibbelink and Kendall Bollenbacher.
 
The 7-1 start is Spring Arbor's best record to open a season since 2018 when the Cougars began their campaign by winning 9 of their first 11 matches.


VS. LAWRENCE TECH
SCORE: Spring Arbor 3, Lawrence Tech 1 (25-19, 21-25, 25-15, 25-19)
LOCATION: Taylor University | Upland, Ind.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 4-1, Lawrence Tech 2-3
 
 
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

• Three Cougars finished with double digit kills. Kendall Bollenbacher posted a team-high 12 followed by Alison Nibbelink and Abigail Fernihough with 10 apiece. Fernihough hit at a .533 clip with her 10 kills coming on just 15 swings.
• Hayden Fortress and Kenady Cox combined for 41 assists while also recording 12 and 14 digs, respectively.
• Emily Johnson registered a team-best 16 digs to go along with three aces.

 
 
 
VS. CONCORDIA
SCORE: Spring Arbor 3, Concordia 2 (25-22, 25-22, 18-25, 21-25, 15-12)
LOCATION: Taylor University | Upland, Ind.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 5-1, Concordia 2-2
 
 
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

• After winning the first two sets, Spring Arbor was able to hold off a late charge by Concordia and take down the Cardinals in five.
• Bollenbacher again led the attack for SAU with 14 kills. Nibbelink added 12 and Sarah Eliason finished with eight.
• Fortress and Cox recorded double-doubles. Fortress had 26 assists and 14 digs while Cox tallied 20 helpers and 10 digs.
• Frances Churchwell collected a team-high 17 digs.

 
 
 
VS. THOMAS MORE
SCORE: Spring Arbor 3, Thomas More 2 (25-22, 16-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-11)
LOCATION: Taylor University | Upland, Ind.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 6-1, Thomas More 2-1
 
 
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

• Spring Arbor opened play Saturday with another five-set marathon. Thomas More led 2-sets-to-1, but the Cougars rallied back to claim their third straight victory of the tournament.
• Nibbelink and Bollenbacher had 15 kills each to lead the way while Eliason added 10.
• Fortress finished with 29 assists and Cox chipped in 19.
• Churchwell picked up a season-best 23 digs while Johnson collected 19 and Abby Rissman 11.
• Nibbelink had four blocks and Quincy Davis and Fernihough were credited with three each.

 
 
 
VS. CLARKE
SCORE: Spring Arbor 3, Clarke 2 (21-25, 24-26, 25-12, 25-17, 15-12)
LOCATION: Taylor University | Upland, Ind.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 7-1, Clarke 1-4
 
 
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

• Spring Arbor showed its toughness and resiliency once again in Saturday's finale. The Cougars dropped two close sets to begin the match, but bounced back and claimed three straight sets to finish off their perfect tournament run.
• Nibbelink had a season-high 16 kills. Four other Cougars finished in double figures, including Fernihough with 12, Bollenbacher with 10, Kelsie Lilly with 10 and Eliason with 10.
• Along with her 12 kills, Fernihough also recorded five blocks.
• Fortress dished out a season-high 32 assists while Cox finished with 21.
• Bollenbacher, Churchwell and Johnson collected 15 digs each.

 
 
 
UP NEXT
Spring Arbor takes on Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan on Wednesday, Aug. 31 starting at 7 p.m.
 
 
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