Saints Edged by Ohio Valley in Five Sets
 
What Happened
In the opening match of the Midwest Region Crossover, the Maryville volleyball team battled down to the end before getting edged in five sets by Ohio Valley. Set scores were 25-23, 23-25, 25-12, 19-25, 18-16. Allison Lakin mashed down a career-high 23 kills and a career best with 21 digs to pace the Maryville attack.
 
In the first set, the score was tied at 23-all before the Saints made a late push. Lakin had a kill to get to set point. Addison Plant served an ace to had Maryville the win. The Saints rallied from a 21-14 deficit to stun OVU. In the second set, Maryville was down but tied the set at 22-22. A kill by Lakin pulled the Saints to 24-23 but OVU scored to even the match.
 
The Saints had one of their best stretches of the season when they reeled off a stunning 12 consecutive points. The score was deadlocked 1-1 until Makayla Campbell engineered the outburst. She accounted for four service aces as Maryville sprinted out to a 13-1 run. OVU made a run midway through the set but the Saints stretched their advantage back to double digits. The Saints were looking to close out the match but OVU forced a decisive fifth set.
 
In the finale, the Saints scored the first two points and five of the opening six points. OVU rallied and eventually tied the set at 7-7. Maryville trailed 11-9 until surging with three consecutive points. Taylor Koss put down a kill, and an OVU hitting error tied the set. Lakin mashed a kill to put the Saints up 12-11. The Saints had match points after another Lakin kill and again at 15-14 on an Ashley Selman termination. Maryville took ties last lead at 16-15 but Ohio Valley tallied three straight to win the thriller.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Allison Lakin – 23
Hitting Percentage: Ashley Selman – .481
Digs: Maggie Murphy – 27
Assists: Kayla Buxton– 31
Service Aces: Makayla Campbell – 5
Blocks – Taylor Koss and Taylor Schellert – 4
 
Records
Maryville: 1-17
Ohio Valley: 7-12
 
What's Next
The Saints play two more matches in the Crossover Tournament. Maryville faces Saginaw Valley at 10 am and Purdue Northwest in a 4 pm first serve.