Hammond, Ind. – In its first match at the 2021 Crossover Tournament, the Maryville volleyball team had its second-highest hitting percentage of the season to sweep Lake Erie 25-19, 25-12, 25-23 in Hammond, Ind. The Saints hit .250 while holding the Storm to just a .075 mark to key the win. Taylor Keck narrowly missed a double-double as she recorded a match-high 11 kills to go along with nine digs to pace the Saints.
 
What Happened
Down 8-7 in the opening set, the Saints reeled off a 6-0 run to take command. Alyssa Koska started the burst with a kill, and Maryville followed with a block by Avery Bell and Abbie Schnell. After two LEC errors, Bell and Keck notched kills for a 13-8 lead. The Saints used another 4-0 run to seal the win.
 
The Saints broke away from a 2-2 early in set two with a sparkling 7-0 run. Grace Knadler had a kill to spark the spree, and Keck had four of the next five kills as the Saints eventually built a 9-2 advantage. Maryville was still up 13-7 before taking control with six consecutive points. A kill by Keck was good for a 19-7 cushion as the Saints cruised to a 2-0 lead.
 
Maryville inched out to a 10-5 advantage but Lake Erie closed to within 10-9. The Saints responded with a 4-0 run to take a five-point lead. The Storm chipped away and eventually tied the set at 20-20. Bell recorded a kill, and Mikaela Kues followed with her own point. The Saints got to match point and finally ended the contest on a block by Bell and Kues.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Taylor Keck - 11
Hitting Percentage: Abbie Schnell - .571
Assists: Abbie Schnell - 28
Service Aces: Six players - 1
Digs: Taylor Keck - 9
Blocks: Avery Bell - 5
 
Notable Numbers
The Saints have won three straight non-conference matches.
Alyssa Koska was second on the team with seven kills.
Avery Bell had six kills on 11 swings and hit .455.
Six different players served the six aces for Maryville.
 
Records
Maryville: 7-10
Lake Erie: 3-16
 
What's Next?
The Saints close out the Crossover Tournament Saturday with two matches. Maryville faces Northern Michigan at 9:30 a.m. and Parkside at 4 p.m.