Normandy, Mo. – The Maryville volleyball team faced a pair of league foes but in nonconference action Saturday in two matches played at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The Saints dominated and swept McKendree (25-12, 25-22, 25-22), and Maryville pushed the No. 6 Tritons before falling short in three sets (22-25, 29-31, 17-25). Ella Brinkmann recorded double-doubles in both matches to run her streak to six straight contests.
 
McKendree recap
Facing the Bearcats, the Saints hammered down a .387 clip in the first set while holding McKendree to just a .028 mark to cruise in the opener. Maryville took command by scoring the first four points of the match and six of the first seven. The Bearcats got as close as 7-3 before the Saints reeled off a pair of 4-0 runs to pull away. Set two was close and McKendree inched out to an 18-16 lead. The Saints roared back with six consecutive points. Ella Domian started the run with a kill, and a solo block by Hanna Dressing gave Maryville a 22-18 advantage. McKendree drew to within 23-22 but Ella Brinkmann pounded down a kill, and a Bearcat error handed the Saints the set.
 
The third set saw both teams use runs to grab the momentum. Late in the set, the Saints used a 7-1 burst to jump ahead 19-16. McKendree eventually went up 22-21 until Maryville closed the match with four straight points. Brinkmann had back-to-back kills, before she teamed with Josey Wahlers on a block. A McKendree hitting error ended the match 25-22. Brinkmann's double-double of 10 kills and 11 digs paced the Maryville attack.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Brinkmann - 10
Hitting Percentage: Hanna Dressing - .600
Assists: Taylor Reynolds - 15
Service Aces: Hanna Dressing and Taylor Reynolds - 2
Digs: Ella Brinkmann - 11
Blocks: Hanna Dressing - 6
 
Records
Maryville: 5-4
McKendree: 2-8
 
UMSL recap
Ella Brinkmann had her second double-double of the day but could not prevent the Saints from falling short against No. 6 UMSL, the second ranked team Maryville has played this season. The Tritons led for most of the opening set before the Saints made a late charge. A kill by Hanna Dressing sparked a 5-0 run, and an UMSL error pulled Maryville to within 22-21. However, the Saints were unable to draw even. The Saints played their longest set of the season in the second. Down 22-17, the Saints ripped off a 5-0 spree to tie the set. Taylor Reynolds tipped in a kill to start the run, and Lily Brown's kill forged a tie at 22-all. The Saints earned a set point at 24-23 but UMSL saved it to extend the match. The Tritons had four of their own set points but the Saints rescued the point on each occasion. Maryville went back up 29-28 but UMSL scored three straight to take the thrilling set. The Saints fell behind 6-1 in the third set and never came back to tie the proceedings.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Brinkmann - 11
Hitting Percentage: Ella Brinkmann - .241
Assists: Taylor Reynolds - 15
Service Aces: Hanna Dressing - 1
Digs: Taylor Hasbrook - 22
Blocks: Ella Brinkmann - 2
 
Records
Maryville: 5-5
No. 6 UMSL: 9-1
 
What's Next?
The Saints begin Great Lakes Valley Conference play with a return trip to Quincy, Ill., and face the Hawks Friday, Sept. 27, at 6 p.m.