St. Louis – For the first time in program history, the Maryville volleyball team won the Conway Clash as the Saints defeated No. 7 Missouri Baptist 25-23, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23. Taylor Keck led the way with 14 kills, and Makenna Brauman had nine kills while hitting .409. Lynsey Batson posted eight blocks, Abbie Schnell had 26 assists, while Taylor Hasbrook finished with 21 digs. The victory snaps an 0-8 skid against the Spartans and is the first over a ranked team since beating No. 23 Truman State Nov. 15, 2013.
                                                                                                                               
Missouri Baptist recap
The first set was tied at 7-7 before an MBU error and a Hasbrook ace put the Saints ahead 9-7. Maryville's margin was still 12-10 until taking control with a 5-0 run. Ella Brinkmann started the burst with a kill, and Batson's finish built a 17-10 lead. The Spartans inched back and closed to within one point, the last at 24-23. Brinkman put down a kill at set point to give the Saints the win. Maryville put up a sparkling .355 hitting percentage but MBU hit a blazing .667 in the second set to even the match.
 
Set three was close the whole way and the Saints nudged out to a 19-15 advantage after a Brinkmann ace. MBU cut the gap to one and closed to 23-22. Brinkmann then answered with back-to-back kills to give the Saints a 25-22 decision. Missouri Baptist snared an early 8-5 lead in the fourth set. Batson drilled down a kill that started a 5-0 burst. Keck and Batson combined on a block that closed the run for a 10-8 advantage. MBU answered and went back ahead and was up 20-16. The Saints were still trailing 21-19 but the Saints tallied four straight to surge ahead. The Saints had match point at 24-23, and Keck hammered in a kill to end the contest.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Taylor Keck - 14
Hitting Percentage: Makenna Brauman - .409
Assists: Abbie Schnell - 26
Service Aces: Ella Brinkmann - 3
Digs: Taylor Hasbrook - 21
Blocks: Lynsey Batson - 8
 
Records
Maryville: 11-4
Missouri Baptist: 14-3
 
What's Next?
The Saints return to Great Lakes Valley Conference play as William Jewell comes to Moloney Arena for a 6 p.m. match Friday, Oct. 6.