Kansas City, Mo. – The Maryville volleyball team was looking to channel fifth-set magic at Rockhurst but fell shot. The Hawks prevailed 12-25, 25-20, 25-19, 21-25, 15-10. The Saints had won their last three matches, all coming in the fifth set. During the match, with her 10th dig, Ella Brinkmann reached the 1,000-dig milestone for her career and becomes the eighth Saint to top the century mark. She led the Saints with a double-double on 21 kills and 17 digs.
 
How it Happened
The Saints trailed 7-6 but roared ahead with five straight points. After an RU error, the Saints received a block from Ella Domian and Gracie Newell to tie the set. Ella Brinkmann served back-to-back aces. The Hawks committed another error and Domian and Newell combined on another block for an 11-7 edge. Maryville still led 15-10 before embarking on a 9-0 run. Hanna Dressing sparked the run with three consecutive kills and capped it with a solo block. The Saints closed out the set on a Brinkmann kill.
 
The Hawks hit over .300 and pulled away late in set two to tie the score. Rockhurst continued its strong play in the third set and built up an early cushion. RU kept up its hot hitting and took the third set for a 2-1 lead. Set four was close and was tied at 19-19. Emma Hoing put down a kill that sparked a run of four consecutive points. Olivia Klump served an ace before Brinkmann pounded down back-to-back kills for a 23-19 lead. RU closed to within two but another Brinkmann kill and a Hawks error forced the decisive fifth set.
 
The Saints scored the first point of the fifth set on a Brinkmann kill but Rockhurst rallied with five straight to take the lead. Dressing had a kill that halted the RU run but the Hawks stretched the lead to 8-2. The Saints got as close as 12-7 but the Hawks staved off Maryville the rest of the way.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Brinkmann - 21
Hitting Percentage: Ella Brinkmann - .400
Assists: Rachel Schipper - 29
Service Aces: Ella Brinkmann and Olivia Klump - 2
Digs: Taylor Hasbrook - 29
Blocks: Gracie Newell - 7
 
Records
Maryville: 8-7, 3-2 GLVC
Rockhurst: 9-5, 3-2 GLVC
 
What's Next?
The Saints close out their road swing to the west side of the state as they play at William Jewell Saturday, Oct. 12.