St. Louis – The Maryville volleyball team closed out the regular season with a sweep of Truman State, to tie its Division II era record for wins in a year with 17, including 11 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. With the 25-18, 25-19. 25-20 victory and results later in the day, the Saints made history by earning a share of the GLVC regular season title with Quincy. The Saints clinched the No. 2 seed for next week's GLVC Tournament. Emma Hoing tied her season best with 17 kills and hit .310, while Ella Brinkmann notched another double-double with 11 kills and a match-high 19 digs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening set was tied at 16-16 until the Saints edged ahead after kills by Hoing and Ella Domian. Truman closed to 19-18 but the Saints reeled off the final six points of the set. Domian and Josey Wahlers had back-to-back kills, and Taylor Reynolds served an ace, followed by a TSU error. Reynolds then dialed up consecutive service aces to end the set.
 
Set two was close throughout and Maryville maintained a small edge. The Bulldogs pulled even at 19-all before Brinkmann had a kill, and Hoing pounded down to more kills. Makenna Brauman finished a play and Brinkmann served an ace. Brauman's kill finished the second at 25-19.
 
Tied at 18-18 in the third, Brinkmann put down a kill, and Wahlers and Brauman had a block to push the Saints ahead 20-18. TSU scored a point before the Wahlers and Brauman combo again had a block. Brinkmann put up an ace before back-to-back miscues pushed the Saints to match point. TSU saved one but committed a service error to end the match.
 
The Saints hit .282 in the contest, their highest mark in a GLVC match this season and the third highest hitting percentage of the season. Taylor Hasbrook added 17 digs, while setter Rachel Schipper and Taylor Reynolds both handed out 18 assists. Reynolds also served up five aces. Ella Domian hit .400, while Josey Wahlers led the team with five blocks.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Kills: Ella Domian - 17
Hitting Percentage: Ella Domian - .400
Assists: Taylor Reynolds and Rachel Schipper - 18
Service Aces: Taylor Reynolds - 5
Digs: Ella Brinkmann - 19
Blocks: Josey Wahlers - 5
 
RECORDS
Maryville: 17-10, 11-2
Truman State: 6-22, 3-10
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints head to Williamsville, Ill., for the 2024 GLVC Tournament. Maryville is the No. 2 seed and will take on No. 7 seed Friday, Nov. 22. The complete tourney bracket will be announced later Saturday.
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