FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Spring Arbor University women's volleyball team capped an unbeaten weekend at the Onset Invitational with two more victories Saturday, rallying from a two-set deficit to defeat Campbellsville University 3-2 before cruising past the University of Northwestern Ohio 3-0.
The Cougars finished the two-day tournament 4-0 and extended their winning streak to six matches while improving to 8-1 on the season.
Spring Arbor's first match of the day featured a dramatic turnaround against Campbellsville. After dropping the opening two sets 25-19 and 25-21, SAU responded by winning the next three 25-22, 25-15 and 15-10.
The momentum began to shift late in the second set. Facing set point at 24-15, the Cougars rattled off six straight points before Campbellsville eventually closed out the frame. SAU carried that fight into the third, overcoming a 20-16 deficit with an 8-1 run to take control on its way to a 25-22 victory.
Spring Arbor took over from there.
Camy Wedge served the Cougars through an 11-0 run in the fourth, recording four aces during the stretch as SAU rolled to a 25-15 win. The Cougars then raced out to an 8-1 advantage in the fifth and held off a Campbellsville rally to complete the comeback.
Natasha Bickel led SAU with 14 kills while hitting .333 against the Tigers.
Keely Hinzman added 13 kills on a .379 hitting percentage along with seven blocks, while
Isabelle Kirkendall finished with 12 kills. Wedge totaled 32 assists, 13 digs and five aces, and
Palmer Fortress recorded a team-high 16 digs.
The Cougars left little doubt in their final match of the weekend, sweeping Northwestern Ohio 25-18, 25-13 and 25-7.
Kirkendall turned in her best offensive performance of the young season, recording a season-high 16 kills while hitting .483. Hinzman followed with nine kills, while
Iyla Weeks added seven.
Wedge handed out 23 assists, and
Gianna Kanitz added eight assists and four service aces. Fortress again led the back row with 15 digs.
Spring Arbor (8-1) returns home for a matchup against the defending national champions and No. 3 ranked Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats on Tuesday, Aug. 25. First serve inside the McDonald Athletic Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.
