FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Nearing the end of the Crossroads League slate, the Spring Arbor University volleyball team traveled to Fort Wayne to take on the University of Saint Francis, looking to bounce back after two straight losses.
Back in September, the two squads faced off with Spring Arbor dominating in a 3-set win, however this matchup proved to be a different story. In set one, Saint Francis took control early with a 4-1 lead, and never looked back. They would go on to the win the set 25-15.
Set two saw the two squads go back and forth early before Spring Arbor pulled away, getting up to a 19-12 lead, and staving off a late Saint Francis rally to take the set 25-19.
Isabelle Kirkendall led the offensive attack in the set with 4 kills.
In set three, Spring Arbor couldn't keep their momentum from set two alive. Both teams were even early in the set, tied at 7-7 at one point, before Saint Francis went on a 4-0 run to take an 11-7 lead. Saint Francis kept that lead for the rest of the set, and finished it out with a 25-19 set victory.
Set four was tight throughout, with SAU fighting for their lives, and Saint Francis looking to seal a huge victory. The game was tied as late as 13-13, before a 5-0 Saint Francis run gave them a lead they would not relinquish. Spring Arbor showed some fight towards the end, but came up just short, as Saint Francis took the set 25-22, and the match 3-1.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Spring Arbor 1, Saint Francis 3 (15-25, 25-19, 19-25, 22-25
LOCATION: Fort Wayne, IN | University of St. Francis
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 11-13 (5-10 CL), Saint Francis 10-17 (3-12 CL)
MATCH NOTES
- Despite the loss, Kendall Bollenbacher continued her stellar play, leading the team with 10 kills, and recording her 1,000th career kill in the first set. Other contributors offensively included Isabelle Kirkendall with 7 kills, Kelsie Lilly with 6 kills, and Julia Mitchell and Natasha Bickel with 5 kills apiece.
- Gabby Bryja had a big game from the setter spot, recording a double-double with 19 assists and 12 digs. Camy Wedge also played well, with 13 assists and 8 digs, as well as 4 kills.
- Defensively, Kirstyn Throop led the back row with 14 digs, along with 2 assists, while Sheridan Young added 8 digs, 2 aces and an assist. Up front, Keely Hinzman and Bickel led the way with 5 blocks each, while Mitchell added 4.
UP NEXT
Spring Arbor will return home to American 1 Credit Union Arena to take on Bethel on Wednesday, Oct. 30. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
