SPRING ARBOR, MI – After a nice bounce-back win in Goshen, the Spring Arbor Volleyball team returned home to American 1 Credit Union Arena to take on the next part of the Crossroads League gauntlet, (21) Grace. 
 
 
The key to the match for both squads was momentum swings, and that was evident early in set one, favoring the Lancers. After the two teams traded kills to start, the Lancers went on a 7-0 run, and never looked back, cruising to a 25-12 win, and holding that coveted momentum. Early in set two, it looked like Grace would keep it, getting two early kills, but the Cougars battled back. Using a balanced offensive attack with seven different players recording kills, Spring Arbor swung the momentum their way, as three straight kills from Keely Hinzman highlighted the 25-17 set victory. 
 
The third set was a little more back and forth, but the Cougars would prevail again, as another balanced offensive attack, spearheaded by three kills apiece from Hinzman and Kelsie Lilly lead SAU to the 25-20 set win, and put them in prime position to take the match. 
 
Grace was not going down without a fight however, as early points presented another momentum shift. The Lancers rolled to a 15-6 lead, and while a 4-0 Cougar run trimmed the lead to 15-10, and provided a glimpse of hope for Spring Arbor, Grace quickly dashed it, and forced the deciding fifth set with a 25-18 victory. 
 
The final set was a microcosm of the entire match, as Spring Arbor seized the momentum early, jumping out to a 6-1 lead. Grace responded with a 4-0 run of their own to trim the margin to one, but a 3-0 surge from the Cougars put them back ahead 9-5. However, that was where the momentum would die for Spring Arbor, as Grace finished the match on a 10-2 run, and took the match with the 15-11 set five victory. 
 

VS. Grace
SCORE: Spring Arbor 2, Grace 3 (12-25, 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 11-15)
LOCATION: Spring Arbor, MI. | American 1 Credit Union Arena
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 7-6, 1-3 Grace 9-2, 3-1
 
 
MATCH NOTES

• As mentioned earlier, the Cougars offensive attack was quite balanced throughout the match. Hinzman was the leader with 10 kills, but was followed closely by Lilly and Isabelle Kirkendall who both had 9 and Kendall Bollenbacher who had 8. Freshman Maiya Clark also added 6 in her first extended game action. 
•  Camy Wedge had a great all-around game, contributing in all facets by leading the team with 22 assists, recording 14 digs, and even chipping in two kills. Gabby Bryja also played well, just missing a double double with 16 assists and 8 digs.  
• Despite the loss, the defensive effort was significant all game. Kirstyn Throop anchored the back row with 28 digs, while Julia Mitchell and Hinzman were a presence at the net, recording 5 and 4 blocks respectively. 

 UP NEXT
Spring Arbor will travel to Upland, IN to take on Taylor in another Crossroads League matchup on Wednesday, Sept. 18^th. First serve is set for 7:00 PM