LEBANON, ILL. - Maryville University earned a decisive sweep over McKendree University Friday night, taking the match 25-22, 25-11, 25-23 at the Melvin Price Convocation Center. The Saints were led by a standout performance from senior outside hitter Ella Brinkmann, who hammered 13 kills while hitting .344, added three service aces and 10 digs.
 
How it Happened
Maryville took control late in the first set with a 5-1 run after being up just 15-14. That stretch included kills from Ella Domian and Leslie Longanbach, plus a McKendree attack error and a kill by Longanbach to make it 19-14. McKendree fought back to briefly take a 22-21 lead, but Maryville closed the set on a 4-0 run, aided by two McKendree attack errors and a block by Ella Brinkmann, winning 25-22.
 
The second set was defined by a dominant Maryville run early. After being down 4-2, the Saints rattled off a 6-0 run behind consecutive kills and two service aces by Brinkmann, pushing the lead to 8-4 and forcing a McKendree timeout. Maryville never looked back, extending the lead to as much as 14 points, and closed out the set 25-11. Their sideout percentage in the set was a commanding 81 percent.
 
In the third, Maryville again went on a mid-set run, turning an 8-8 tie into a 14-10 lead with three straight McKendree attack errors, including two blocks by Longanbach and a service ace from Taylor Reynolds. Later, with Maryville up 19-17, the Saints reeled off four straight points to take control. McKendree made a late push to close within 24-23, but after a timeout, Ella Brinkmann delivered the match-winning kill.
 
Brinkmann was relentless throughout the match, notching six kills in the opening set and catching fire in the second with nine more on just 12 swings (.750). She also served up a pair of aces during a key second-set run that put the set out of reach.
 
Setter Taylor Reynolds orchestrated the offense with 18 assists, while adding nine digs. Ella Domian chipped in seven kills on .600 hitting and teamed with Brinkmann and Hailey Levinson (seven kills, .333) to control the net. Leslie Longanbach added seven kills and three blocks for a balanced Maryville attack. The Saints hit .300 for the match and recorded six team blocks. The Maryville defense held McKendree to a .174 hitting percentage.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Brinkmann - 13
Hitting Percentage: Ella Domian - .600
Assists: Taylor Reynolds - 18
Service Aces: Ella Brinkmann - 4
Digs: Ella Brinkmann - 10
Blocks: Leslie Longanbach - 3
 
Records
Maryville: 11-9, 4-2 GLVC
McKendree: 5-16, 3-4 GLVC
 
WHAT'S UP NEXT:
The Saints make their shortest road trip of the season as they head to the northside of town for a match at UMSL Saturday, Oct. 25, for a 3 p.m. clash.