MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – The Spring Arbor University women's volleyball team picked up another Top 25 victory Wednesday evening, going on the road and defeating No. 19 Mount Vernon Nazarene University in five sets.
Spring Arbor, receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, won by scores of 25-19, 22-25, 25-17, 19-25 and 15-12. The Cougars improved to 12-4 overall and 4-3 in Crossroads League play, while MVNU fell to 15-8 and 4-3.
The victory was SAU's third straight and its second over a nationally ranked opponent during that stretch after defeating No. 13 Taylor in five sets last week.
Spring Arbor closed the opening set strong after the two sides were tied at 19-19. The Cougars scored the final six points, getting back-to-back kills from
Keely Hinzman before
Isabelle Kirkendall finished off the 25-19 win.
MVNU responded in the second set. Spring Arbor built an early 10-1 advantage, but the Cougars were unable to hold off the host Cougars as Mount Vernon Nazarene battled back and eventually took its first lead at 22-21. MVNU completed the comeback with a 25-22 win to even the match.
Spring Arbor regained control in the third. With SAU leading 18-15, the Cougars closed the set on a 7-2 run, with
Palmer Fortress recording two service aces down the stretch to secure a 25-17 victory and a 2-1 match advantage.
Mount Vernon Nazarene forced a deciding fifth set with a 25-19 victory in the fourth, setting up another five-set battle for SAU.
The Cougars broke a 6-6 tie in the fifth with a 6-0 run. Hinzman started the surge with a kill before Kirkendall followed with consecutive kills. Fortress added an ace and
Lyla Tate a kill as Spring Arbor opened a 12-6 advantage. MVNU cut the margin to 13-11, but Kirkendall delivered another kill to give SAU match point before Hinzman finished the night with a block for the 15-12 victory.
The night also featured a career milestone for senior setter
Camy Wedge, who surpassed 1,000 career digs during the match. Wedge finished the night with 13 digs to go along with 17 assists, recording a double-double in the victory.
Hinzman led Spring Arbor with 13 kills on 23 attempts without committing an attack error, finishing with a .565 hitting percentage. The reigning Crossroads League Defender of the Week also added three service aces and three total blocks. Kirkendall, last week's Attacker of the Week, finished with 12 kills, eight digs and an ace, while
Iyla Weeks added 10 kills.
Natasha Bickel chipped in seven kills.
Fortress anchored the back row with 18 digs and added a match-high four service aces, while
Giovanna LoCicero added 10 digs. Spring Arbor finished with 11 service aces and held MVNU to a .134 hitting percentage.
Spring Arbor returns home Saturday, Sept. 26 to host Bethel University. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.
