WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Spring Arbor University kept its hot start rolling at the Palm Beach Juniors Classic on Saturday, sweeping Florida Memorial University in the morning before outlasting Indiana University East in a five-set battle in the afternoon. With the two wins, the Cougars remain unbeaten at 4-0 to open the 2025 campaign.
Spring Arbor 3, Florida Memorial 0
Scores: 25-8, 25-13, 25-7
The Cougars controlled the morning match from start to finish, hitting .385 as a team while holding Florida Memorial to a -.265 attack percentage.
Isabelle Kirkendall posted a team-high seven kills while
Kelsie Lilly and
Keely Hinzman followed with five apiece. Hinzman also added three aces.
Camy Wedge and
Gabby Bryja combined for 23 assists and five aces.
Giovanna LoCicero picked up five digs.
Spring Arbor 3, Indiana East 2
Scores: 25-23, 17-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-13
Spring Arbor capped the day with its toughest test yet, rallying to defeat Indiana East in a thrilling five-setter. After splitting the first two sets, IU East surged ahead by taking the third. However, SAU rebounded with a fourth-set victory to force the decisive fifth set where the Cougars overcame a 13-10 deficit with five straight points to secure their fourth consecutive victory to begin the season.
Three Cougars finished with double-digit kills, including
Kendall Bollenbacher, who notched a double-double with 12 kills and 19 digs. Lilly also had 12 kills while Hinzman totaled 10 kills with four blocks.
Alexis Remtema was a difference-maker at the net, recording six kills and six blocks.
Natasha Bickel registered five blocks to go along with four kills.
Wedge also recorded a double-double with 25 assists and 12 digs while Bryja had 17 assists. Munro patrolled the back row with 21 digs.
Up next, Spring Arbor will travel to Fort Wayne, Indiana for the Onset Invitational on Friday, Aug. 22 and Saturday, Aug. 23.
