Spires Complete Comeback Against Warriors, Winning 3-2

Leavenworth, Kan.- The University of Saint Volleyball team hosted the Sterling Warriors for a mid-week matchup Tuesday night. The Spires came back from a 2-0 deficit to win in five sets 3-2. Saint Mary is now 17-12 overall and 5-4 in the KCAC.

The Spires took an early lead over the Warriors, but it was soon erased, and halfway through the set, the score was tied 12-12. The back half of the set saw four lead changes as each team tried to take a commanding lead. A late run from Sterling forced overtime, and they rode that momentum to a 29-27 victory, taking a 1-0 lead on the Spires.

Saint Mary seemed to have found their rhythm in set two, extending the lead to 16-8 at one point. A 5-point run from the Warriors got them within three as the Spires led 18-13. As the set continued, Sterling kept up the offensive output, and with the set tied 24-24, the Warriors scored three straight to take set two 26-24.

With their backs to the wall, Saint Mary was tasked with having to win three straight sets, as to make sure they did not lose. Finding their rhythm in the third set, the Spires cruised to a 25-15 win, with Emma Prothe accumulating five service aces to help them get Saint Mary on the board. In set four, Renata Dominguez had three straight kills to give the Spires a comfortable 12-7 lead. The Warriors kept it close as the set continued, but errors from Sterling and kilss from Ainsley Gardner and Rebecca Sprague held to seal the win in set four, forcing a fifth and final set.

In set five, each team went back and forth, unable to take a comfortable lead. Two more service aces from Prothe brought Saint Mary within two points down 11-9. Back-to-back kills from Gardner completed the comeback for the Spires, winning 16-14 and 3-2 in sets. Prothe finished the night with seven aces, and Gardner led the team with 13 kills on the night.

Up Next

The Spires will host Kansas Wesleyan weekend at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Ryan Sports Center.