WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Spring Arbor University volleyball opened the 2025 season in perfect fashion on Friday, earning back-to-back sweeps over Keiser University and Florida National University at the Palm Beach Juniors Classic.
The Cougars (2-0) did not drop a set all day while hitting a combined .318 and posting 12 total blocks across the two matches.
Spring Arbor 3, Keiser 0
Scores: 25-20, 25-20, 25-22
SAU used a balanced attack to start the day with a convincing sweep of the host Seahawks, hitting .267 as a team and out-blocking Keiser 6-2.
Isabelle Kirkendall paced the offense with 11 kills at a .375 clip, while
Kendall Bollenbacher added 10 kills and eight digs.
Keely Hinzman posted eight kills on a .364 hitting percentage and a match-high five blocks.
Setters
Camy Wedge (15 assists, 11 digs) and
Gabby Bryja (12 assists, 10 digs) each recorded double-doubles, and libero
Aliza Munro chipped in 10 digs.
The Cougars pulled away late in set one with an 8-3 run, jumped out to an early lead in the second and never looked back, then closed the match in the third behind back-to-back kills from Bollenbacher.
Spring Arbor 3, Florida National 0
Scores: 25-15, 25-10, 25-12
SAU carried its momentum into the afternoon, hitting a blistering .373 while limiting Florida National to -.111. The Cougars' offense caught fire in the second set, swinging at a .583 clip with just one error.
Kirkendall led again with 11 kills on .563 hitting, followed by
Kelsie Lilly with eight kills and two blocks.
Julia Mitchell added five kills and two aces, and Hinzman contributed four kills and a match-high three blocks.
Wedge directed the attack with 21 assists, and Bryja tallied nine. Munro anchored the back row with eight digs, while Bollenbacher chipped in six.
SAU set the tone early in the first, surged to a 10-2 lead in set two, and never allowed the Conquistadors to find a rhythm in set three, sealing the sweep with a Kirkendall kill.
Spring Arbor will return to action on Saturday with two more matches to close out the Palm Beach Juniors Classic. The Cougars play Florida Memorial University at 10 a.m. and Indiana University East at 12 p.m.
