SPRING ARBOR, MI – For the first time in over a year, the Spring Arbor volleyball team returned home to American 1 Credit Union Arena for both their home and conference opener, and the atmosphere did not disappoint. In a packed arena, the Lady Cougars took on (24) Marian who was 9-1 coming into the match. 
 
 
Spring Arbor played the Knights tough all night, including a dominating set two, which saw Spring Arbor cruise to a 25-13 win, led by 5 kills each from Kendall Bollenbacher and Izzy Kirkendall. However, Marian's defense was too much for the Cougars, as the Knights seemingly kept everything off the floor, and were able to outlast an effective offensive attack from Spring Arbor, taking each of their three set victories by the same score, 25-21. 
  
 
VS. Marian
SCORE: Spring Arbor 1, Marian 3 (21-25, 25-13, 21-25, 21-25)
LOCATION: Spring Arbor, MI. | American 1 Credit Union Arena
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 6-4, 0-1 Marian 10-1, 1-0
 
 
MATCH NOTES

• A deeper dive into the stat sheet shows how close this match was, as Marian just eclipsed SAU in the main stat categories, with a 60-50 advantage in kills, a 56-47 advantage in assists, and a 84-73 advantage in digs. SAU did lead in blocks, with a 10-6 edge.
• Despite Marian's defensive prowess, Izzy Kirkendall and Kendall Bollenbacher still had big games offensively, notching 13 and 12 kills respectively.
•  Camy Wedge and Gabby Bryja both facilitated the offense well, with Wedge recording 22 assists, along with 20 digs, and Bryja notching 16 assists. 
• Other key performances included Kirstyn Throop anchoring the defense with 19 digs, Keely Hinzman and Julia Mitchell leading the net defense with 5 and 4 blocks respectively, and Natasha Bickel and Kelsie Lilly contributing offensively with 8 kills apiece.