Normandy, Mo. – The Maryville volleyball team challenged undefeated and No. 4 Missouri-St. Louis but the Tritons held the Saints at bay in a 25-19, 25-20, 25-14 decision Saturday afternoon. Ella Brinkmann had a double-double of 13 kills and 10 digs, while Grace Graham added 10 kills. Taylor Hasbrook recorded a match-high 19 digs.
 
UMSL recap
The Saints took an early 4-2 lead on a kill by Graham before UMSL scored five straight to jump in front. Graham had a kill and an UMSL error pulled the Saints to within 14-12. The Saints were only down 17-14 following a Brinkmann kill but the Tritons went on another 5-0 to take control.
 
UMSL built a 9-5 advantage in the second set before the Saints rallied to forge a tie. Makenna Brauman started a 4-0 run with a kill, and Brinkmann followed. Two straight hitting errors by the Tritons deadlocked the set at 9-9. UMSL edged back in front 14-11 but the Saints stayed close. Hanna Dressing put down a kill to pull Maryville to within 21-19 but the Tritons scored four of the final five points.
 
Graham notched a kill to put the Saints on top 6-4 in set three. The Tritons slowly came back and took a 10-8 advantage. Maryville tied the score following kills by Brinkmann and Leslie Longanbach. UMSL answered with six straight points. Graham had back-to-back kills for the Saints but they never got closer than five the rest of the way.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Brinkmann - 13
Hitting Percentage: Ella Brinkmann - .375
Assists: Abbie Schnell - 15
Service Aces: none
Digs: Taylor Hasbrook - 19
Blocks: Caroline Glastetter - 3
 
Records
Maryville: 14-8, 5-3 GLVC
Missouri-St. Louis: 22-0, 7-0 GLVC
 
What's Next?
The Saints return to Moloney Arena to host nationally-ranked Lewis Friday, Oct. 27, in a 6 p.m. contest.