Spires Fall to KWU in Four Sets

Leavenworth, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Volleyball team played Kansas Wesleyan University on Saturday, resulting in a 3-1 loss (20-25) (25-23) (22-25)(18-25). The Spires are now 14-5 overall on the season and 3-1 in the KCAC.

An early Spire error granted the Coyotes the lead to begin set one. However, Rylee Kenitzer and Madison Folsom contributed kills to spark back-and-forth action. As Kansas Wesleyan extended their lead halfway through the set, Kenitzer and Devyn Ford sparked a comeback to tie the set at 13. Kansas Wesleyan, nonetheless, closed the set out with a 7-3 run to win 25-20. Soon after, Saint Mary began set two with a 9-3 run to force a Kansas Wesleyan timeout. Despite a run to cut the Spire lead to 18-17, Saint Mary was able to rally for the 25-23 win in set two.

Set three began with another scoring run for the Spires that was unfortunately erased by back-to-back kills for the Coyotes to tie the set. As both teams battled back and forth, Saint Mary looked to pull away as they climbed to a 16-13 lead. Dismally, Kansas Wesleyan emerged victorious, scoring six of the last ten points to escape with a 25-22 win. Kenitzer's back-to-back kills to begin set four gave the Spires momentum, but the Coyotes were unfazed, responding with a 10-5 scoring run. Kansas Wesleyan then buckled down to win yet another alternating set and close out a highly competitive game, 25-18. Kenitzer finished with 20 kills on the day.

Up Next

The Spires will travel to take on Evangel University at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Springfield, Missouri.