Frankfort, Ky. – The Maryville women's volleyball team closed the Kentucky State Invitational with two more victories and improved to 4-0 to start the 2022 campaign. The Saints moved past Ohio Dominican 3-1, and then roared past West Alabama 3-0. Maryville last opened a season with four straight wins in 1993 and has not won four straight matches since 2014.
 
Ohio Dominican recap
The Saints worked for a four-set win over Ohio Dominican 25-17, 25-21, 22-25, 25-13. Ella Brinkmann notched 16 kills and nine digs, while Grace Graham had 12 kills and hit .375 to key the victory. In set one, the Saints were trailing 15-13 but reeled off nine straight points to surge for the win. Set two saw another late Maryville comeback as the Saints reversed a 17-16 deficit to a 21-17 lead and a 2-0 margin. After ODU won the third set, the Saints pounded down a .429 hitting percentage while holding the Panthers to a .000 mark.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Brinkmann - 16
Hitting Percentage: Grace Graham - .375
Assists: Rachel Schipper - 23
Service Aces: Abbie Schnell and Taylor Hasbrook - 2
Digs: Taylor Hasbrook - 11
Blocks:  Caroline Glastetter and Grace Knadler - 4
 
Records
Maryville: 3-0
Ohio Dominican: 1-2
 
West Alabama recap
The Saints hammered UWA to start set one by scoring 11 of the first 12 points of the match. The lead was never less than six points the rest of the way as Maryville hit .324 in the opener. West Alabama built a 13-8 lead in set two before the Saints rallied. Still down 15-12, Maryville reeled off five straight points for a 17-15 edge. Still up 19-18, the Saints took control with a 4-0 and took a 2-0 lead. In the final set, the Saints stretched a 6-4 to 14-4 with eight straight points. The Saints never let the lead dip below double digits and hit .455 in the set.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Brinkmann and Grace Graham - 10
Hitting Percentage: Ella Brinkmann - .444
Assists: Abbie Schnell - 23
Service Aces: Ella Brinkmann - 3
Digs: Ella Brinkmann - 11
Blocks:  Ella Brinkmann, Ella Kosky and Karolina Rodowski - 4
 
Records
Maryville: 4-0
West Alabama: 0-4
 
What's Next?
The Saints have a return trip to Kentucky on the slate as they play in the Kentucky Wesleyan Invitational in Owensboro, Ky., Sept. 2-3.