Monticello, Ark. - The Maryville volleyball squad was looking to complete an unbeaten run at the Blossom Classic at Arkansas-Monticello but finished with a 3-1 mark. The Saints defeated host UAM 25-15, 25-20, 25-15 but Truman State downed Maryville 29-27, 25-13, 25-21.
 
Arkansas Monticello recap
The Saints used an early 5-1 run to jump out to a 10-4 lead. Hanna Dressing's kill started a 3-0 spree that pushed the edge out to 18-10. Maryville scored four of the final five points to grab a double-digit lead. The Saints held UAM to a -.062 hitting percentage in the opener. Down 6-5 in the second set, the Saints tallied four straight points to grab the lead. Makenna Brauman's kill started the run, and followed by a UAM error, Dressing served back-to-back aces for a 9-6 lead. The Saints inched out to a 17-16 lead until a solo block by Brauman started a 4-0 run. Another ace by Dressing was good for a 21-17 lead and the Saints held on. Trailing in set three 5-3, the Saints reeled off five unanswered points for an 8-5 margin. Ella Brinkmann's kill started the run, and Taylor Keck followed with a solo block. Maryville had three straight kills. Up 11-10, the Saints took control with a 4-0 burst and a 15-10 edge. The Saints took control with six consecutive kills and cruised to the win.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Brinkmann - 14
Hitting Percentage: Ella Brinkmann - .409
Assists: Abbie Schnell - 15
Service Aces: Hanna Dressing - 4
Digs: Taylor Hasbrook - 14
Blocks: Makenna Brauman - 2
 
Records
Maryville: 3-0
Arkansas Monticello: 0-3
 
Truman State recap
In the final match of the tournament, Maryville faced Great Lakes Valley Conference foe Truman State for a non-conference contest. The Saints held a 24-21 edge in set one but the Bulldogs rallied to tie matters at 24-all. TSU then had three chances to win the opener but Maryville saved them all. However, Truman converted to cap the rally at 29-27. In the second, the Bulldogs scored five of six points and edged out to an early double-digit edge. Maryville got as close as 19-12 but Truman eventually took a 2-0 margin. The Saints had a kill to cut the Truman lead to 5-3 before the Bulldogs scored four straight and six of the next seven points. A kill by Taylor Keck and two straight finishes by Brinkmann brought the Saints back to 13-8. Truman pulled to a 20-12 edge but the Saints scored six consecutive points to draw to 20-18.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Brinkmann - 9
Hitting Percentage: Lynsey Batson - .667
Assists: Abbie Schnell - 19
Service Aces: Taylor Hasbrook - 3
Digs: Taylor Hasbrook - 23
Blocks: Makenna Brauman - 2
 
Records
Maryville: 3-1
Truman State: 3-1
 
What's Next?
The Saints head to the Sunshine State for three matches Sept. 9-10, against Nova Southeastern, Palm Beach Atlantic and Lynn University.