SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Spring Arbor University picked up a big win on its home floor Wednesday night, defeating No. 13 Taylor University in five sets, 25-27, 25-16, 25-23, 20-25, 15-13.
The Cougars, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, improved to 10-4 overall and 2-3 in Crossroads League play, while Taylor dropped to 15-5 overall and 3-2 in the league.
After dropping a tightly contested opening set, Spring Arbor answered in convincing fashion in the second. With SAU leading 13-12, the Cougars put together an 8-0 run behind the serving of
Camy Wedge to take control at 21-12. Spring Arbor went on to even the match with a 25-16 victory.
The third set went back and forth before Taylor built a 22-19 advantage late. Spring Arbor responded by scoring six of the final seven points.
Keely Hinzman helped spark the rally with a kill and a pair of block assists before
Alexis Remtema and
Iyla Weeks delivered consecutive kills to close out the 25-23 win.
Taylor forced a deciding fifth set with a 25-20 victory in the fourth.
Hinzman set the tone immediately in the fifth with back-to-back kills as Spring Arbor jumped in front 4-1. Taylor battled back and eventually took an 8-7 lead, but the Cougars answered again. With the score tied 9-9, Spring Arbor scored three straight points to take a 12-9 advantage. Taylor pulled within one at 14-13 before Weeks finished the match with a kill for the 15-13 victory.
Hinzman and
Isabelle Kirkendall led the Spring Arbor attack with 17 kills apiece – a season-high for both. Hinzman was especially efficient, hitting .583 with just three errors on 24 attempts while adding eight total blocks. Kirkendall hit .308 and added 11 digs for a double-double.
Natasha Bickel also reached double figures with 11 kills while hitting .333.
Wedge directed the offense with 33 assists and added 12 digs for a double-double, while
Palmer Fortress finished with 12 digs. The Cougars hit .213 for the match and saved their best offensive set for the fifth, hitting .438 with 11 kills.
Spring Arbor returns to action Saturday, Sept. 19 when it hosts Marian University, which is receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll. First serve is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
