Springfield, Mo. – After dropping the opening set, the Maryville volleyball team came back to down Drury 3-1 Friday night in Springfield, Mo. During the match, senior Ella Brinkmann broke the school record for career service aces as she recorded the 140th of her career to surpass the previous mark of 139 set by Taylor Hasbrook last season.
 
The Saints took the match over the Lady Panthers 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 26-24 for a crucial win in the Great Lakes Valley Conference standings. Brinkmann finished the match with 21 kills and 20 digs. Olivia Klump led four Saints with at least 20 digs in the match and recorded 27.
 
How it Happened
Set one was tied at 17-all but Drury scored two straight points and four of the next five to take the lead. Brinkmann had consecutive kills but Drury held on to take the opener. The second set was deadlocked at 22-22 before the Saints scored three straight points. Leslie Longanbach posted a kill, and Lynsey Batson followed with a kill and a solo block to end it 25-22.
 
In the third set, the Saints trailed 20-18 and made a late charge. Brinkmann started the surge with a kill, and two straight DU errors pushed the Saints ahead 21-20. Tied at 21-all, Ella Domian and Batson had a block before Cami Kohmetscher recorded a solo rejection for a 23-21 margin. Domian tacked on a kill for a 24-21 edge. On set point, Brinkmann's ace ended the set and, in the process, broke the career service ace mark.
 
Neither team led by more than three points in a closely contested fourth set. Down 24-23, Emma Hoing's kill tied the score for the third straight time at 24-24. Domian pounded down a kill to give the Saints match point. Drury had a swing to tie but the ball hit the net and did not cross over to give the Saints a taut 26-24 win in the finale.
 
Hoing finished with 13 kills and hit .323, while Domian added 11 kills. Mallory Sell contributed a season-high 26 digs, while Taylor Reynolds had 21 assists and 21 digs. Kohmetscher finished with a double-double on 23 assists and 14 digs.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Brinkmann - 21
Hitting Percentage: Emma Hoing - .323
Assists: Cami Kohmetscher - 23
Service Aces: Ella Brinkmann - 3
Digs: Olivia Klump - 27
Blocks: Lynsey Batson - 5
 
Records
Maryville: 13-11, 6-4 GLVC
Drury: 14-12, 4-6 GLVC
 
WHAT'S UP NEXT:
The Saints play their final road contest of the season as they head to Bolivar, Mo., to take on Southwest Baptist at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8.