Romeoville, Ill. – The Maryville volleyball team made history with its first victory over Lewis in a thrilling 3-2 decision Saturday in Romeoville, Ill. The Saints won their fifth consecutive Great Lakes Valley Conference match by a 25-23, 22-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-11 margin. The Saints had been 0-14 all-time against the Flyers.
 
Ella Brinkmann led the way with 26 kills and 21 digs and in the match, became the first Maryville player in program history to reach 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. Hanna Dressing had 13 kills while hitting .423, while Ella Domian finished with 10 kills. Taylor Reynolds had a double-double with 27 assists and 15 digs, and Taylor Hasbrook, who yesterday became Maryville's all-time digs leader, finished with 36 digs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Down 16-10 in set one, the Saints reeled off seven straight points to surge into the lead. Tied at 22-22, Brinkmann drilled down two straight kills. Lewis saved one set point but Brinkmann had the answer at 25-23. The Saints tried to rally in set two but the Flyers held on for a 25-20 decision to even the match. Maryville had its lowest hitting percentage in the third set, and Lewis had its highest as the Flyers went ahead 2-1.
 
In set four, Makenna Brauman had a kill, and after a Lewis error, Brinkman hammered in a kill for a 22-21 lead. The Flyers went back up 23-22 but the Saints scored three straight points. Brinkmann had a kill, and Payton Mandac and Josey Wahlers posted a block. Ella Domian's kill gave the Saints a 25-23 win and forced a fifth set.
 
The fifth was tied at 2-2 before Brinkmann took over with three consecutive kills. Back-to-back Lewis errors handed the Saints a 7-2 lead. The teams traded points and the Saints eventually got to match point at 14-9. The Flyers extended the match with two straight points but Wahlers put down a kill for a 15-11 decision. The Saints hit .450 in the decisive set.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Kills: Ella Brinkmann - 26
Hitting Percentage: Hanna Dressing - .423
Assists: Taylor Reynolds - 27
Service Aces: Ella Brinkmann - 2
Digs: Taylor Hasbrook - 36
Blocks: Hanna Dressing - 8
 
RECORDS
Maryville: 14-10, 8-2
Lewis: 16-9, 7-2
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints are next in action when they travel to Missouri S&T Saturday, Nov. 9.