SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University women's volleyball team extended its winning streak to five matches Wednesday night, defeating Goshen College 3-1 inside the McDonald Athletic Center.
Spring Arbor, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, improved to 14-4 overall and 6-3 in Crossroads League play, while Goshen fell to 1-19 and 0-9. The Cougars won by scores of 25-15, 23-25, 25-15 and 25-18.
SAU took control midway through the opening set. Leading 10-8, the Cougars used a 9-1 run to build a 19-9 advantage.
Alexis Remtema delivered three kills during the run, while
Keely Hinzman added a service ace. Spring Arbor went on to take the set 25-15 while hitting .478 with 14 kills and just three errors.
The Cougars jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the second set, but Goshen worked its way back and eventually moved in front 21-20. The Maple Leafs extended the lead to 24-20 before SAU fought off three set points, but Goshen closed out the frame 25-23 to even the match.
Spring Arbor responded in the third. The Cougars used a 7-0 run to turn a 2-2 score into a 9-2 advantage and remained in control from there.
Palmer Fortress recorded a pair of aces late in the set, including the set-clinching point, as SAU won 25-15.
SAU carried the momentum into the fourth, opening up an 8-4 advantage before stretching the margin to 16-7. Goshen pulled within six late, but the Cougars finished off the 25-18 victory to secure their fifth consecutive win.
Remtema led a balanced Spring Arbor attack with 11 kills while hitting .500 and added six block assists.
Isabelle Kirkendall finished with nine kills and 11 digs, while Hinzman recorded eight kills on a .350 hitting percentage.
Melissa Staufer provided seven kills on just 14 attempts, hitting .429, and
Iyla Weeks added seven kills.
Camy Wedge handed out a team-high 21 assists, with
Gabby Bryja adding 17. Fortress led the defense with 17 digs and three aces. As a team, Spring Arbor hit .230 with 49 kills and held Goshen to a .072 hitting percentage.
Spring Arbor travels to Grand Rapids on Friday for a pair of contests. The Cougars will face No. 9 Aquinas College at 4 p.m. before taking on Cornerstone University, which is receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, at 7 p.m.
