St. Louis – The Maryville men's volleyball team got back to its winning ways by taking both matches Saturday at University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy. The Saints swept Graceland and defeated host UHSP 3-1. Maryville has won six of its last seven contests.
 
Graceland Recap
The Saints used a 4-0 run to build a 10-5 lead in set one. Still leading 15-11, Maryville scored seven of the next eight points to pull away for the win. In the second set, the Saints jumped to a 9-4 lead. Graceland scored four straight and eventually tied the set at 11-all. The Saints fell behind 20-16 but scored four straight to tie the set at 23-23. Maryville faced set point but saved it, earned their own before Mason Mortimer served an ace for a 27-25 win.
 
The Saints were holding a 17-15 edge but closed out the match with eight consecutive points. Jacob Fischer led the Saints with seven kills and had five blocks, while Luke Van Handel finished with six kills. Cole Torrence led the defense with six blocks, while Avery Pohlman came up with 11 digs.
 
UHSP Recap
The Saints trailed in set one 10-9 but used a 6-0 burst to surge ahead 15-10 on a Josh Zhuchenko ace. The Eutectics got as close as four points but a 6-1 Maryville run gave the Saints control. UHSP had its highest hitting percentage of the match while the Saints had their lowest as the Eutectics tied the set score at 1-1.
 
Maryville tallied seven of the first nine points in set three to take early control. The Saints put the game away with a 6-0 run that led to a 17-5 cushion. Maryville's margin was just 7-6 in the fourth set until the Saints went on a 6-1 run. A later 3-0 built a double-digit lead as the Saints closed out the match 25-14. Van Handel led the way with 11 kills, while Ganev finished with 10. Pohlman recorded a match-high 15 digs, and Zhuchenko handed out 41 assists.
 
Records
Maryville: 9-8
Graceland: 3-7
UHSP: 2-9
 
What's Next?
The Saints shuffled their slate and now will host Fontbonne Wednesday, Feb. 23, in a 7 pm first serve in Moloney Arena.