SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University women's volleyball team earned a 3-0 victory over Madonna University in its 2026 home opener Wednesday night inside the McDonald Athletic Center.
The Cougars overcame a slow start before taking control of the match, winning by scores of 25-22, 25-17 and 25-10 to improve to 4-1 on the season. Madonna dropped to 2-3.
Spring Arbor found itself in an early 7-1 hole in the opening set, but quickly settled in and began chipping away at the deficit. The Cougars eventually completed the comeback to claim the opening frame 25-22 and carried that momentum into the remainder of the match.
SAU controlled the second set on its way to a 25-17 victory before turning in its most dominant performance of the night in the third. The Cougars hit .571 as a team in the final frame while holding Madonna to a -.200 hitting percentage, cruising to a 25-10 win to complete the sweep.
Senior
Isabelle Kirkendall led the Spring Arbor attack with a match-high 14 kills while hitting .385. She also contributed nine digs and two service aces.
Natasha Bickel was highly efficient on the offensive end, putting down eight kills while hitting .538.
Julia Mitchell added six kills, while
Alexis Remtema finished with five.
Camy Wedge and
Gabby Bryja directed the Cougar offense and combined for 34 assists, while
Palmer Fortress anchored the back row with a match-high 18 digs.
Spring Arbor will return to action this weekend at the Onset Invitational in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Cougars will face No. 20 Midland University and Brescia University on Friday, Aug. 21 before taking on Campbellsville University and the University of Northwestern Ohio on Saturday, Aug. 22.
