SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Spring Arbor University continued its strong week at home Saturday evening, sweeping Marian University 25-14, 25-19, 25-18 in Crossroads League action inside the McDonald Athletic Center.
The Cougars, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, improved to 11-4 overall and 3-3 in league play with their second straight victory. Marian dropped to 13-8 overall and 3-3 in the Crossroads League.
Marian jumped out to a 7-4 advantage in the opening set before Spring Arbor began to take control. The Cougars pulled even at 9-9 and then scored 12 of the next 14 points to build a 21-11 advantage.
Camy Wedge played a key role in the run from the service line, delivering two aces as SAU pulled away for a 25-14 win.
The second set remained close throughout. Neither side led by more than three points until the closing stages, with Marian pulling even at 19-19. From there, Spring Arbor scored the final six points of the set.
Keely Hinzman and
Isabelle Kirkendall delivered kills during the run, while Kirkendall added an ace before
Natasha Bickel closed out the 25-19 victory with a kill.
SAU completed the sweep with another strong finish in the third. The teams were tied at 16-16 before the Cougars used a 4-0 run to create separation. Marian got no closer than three the rest of the way, and Kirkendall delivered three kills over SAU's final four points, including the match-winner, to secure the 25-18 victory.
Kirkendall led the Cougars with 13 kills while hitting .323 and added six digs and two service aces.
Julia Mitchell turned in an efficient performance with eight kills on 15 attempts and just one error for a .467 hitting percentage. Bickel added seven kills, while
Iyla Weeks finished with six.
Wedge directed the offense with 21 assists to go along with six digs and two aces, while
Gabby Bryja added 15 assists.
Palmer Fortress led the defensive effort with 15 digs. Hinzman was a presence at the net with seven total blocks, including one solo, as the Cougars finished with 11 team blocks.
Spring Arbor finished with 44 kills and a .250 hitting percentage while limiting Marian to 26 kills and a .028 hitting percentage. The Cougars were especially efficient in the second set, recording 19 kills with only three errors to hit .400.
Spring Arbor returns to the road Wednesday, Sept. 23, traveling to No. 19 Mount Vernon Nazarene University for a 7 p.m. Crossroads League matchup.
