Spires Sweep Warriors in First Round of KCAC Tournament

Leavenworth, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Volleyball team hosted Sterling College for round one of the KCAC Championship Tournament on Tuesday, resulting in a 3-0 win. The Spires are now 21-9 overall on the year and move onto the quarterfinal round. 

Saint Mary opened the game in a big way, going on a 9-2 run with Ryler Kenitzer and Madison Folsom each having two kills. Sterling could not keep up with the offensive output of USM as the score grew to 13-6. Another extended Saint Mary run gave them a 120-8 lead over the Warriors. Akill from Folsom ended things in the first with a final score of 25-11. 

Sterling found their rhythm to start the second set tied at seven with the Spires. However, Saint Mary heated up again and went on an 8-1 run sparked by a kill from Renata Dominguez. The Warriors responded with a run of their own to make it 18-16. A service ace from Ava Bojanski and two more kills from Kenitzer put Sertling away in the second, winning 25-20.

In set three, Gabby Kurle snuck a serve past the Warrior's defense for a service ace to take an early 12-6 lead. Sterling answered by scoring five straight points after an error by the Spires to make it a one-point game. The Saint Mary offensive pressure proved too much for the Warriors as they were outscored 13-3 down the stretch, losing 25-14. Kenitzer led the Spires in kills on the night with 14, while Dominguez was a difference-maker defensively with five total blocks. 

Up Next

Saint Mary will take on Kansas Wesleyan in the quarterfinals on Friday in Hutchinson, Kansas.