ST. LOUIS  – In its opening match of the 2025 IVA Tournament, the Maryville men's volleyball team swept Barry University 25-11, 25-16, 25-17. The win pushes the Saints into the tourney semifinals Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m., against either Missouri S&T or Tusculum. Luke Kraft hammered down 13 kills while posting a .588 hitting percentage. Makai Scott followed with 12 kills and a .429 hitting mark.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Saints scored five straight points to grab early control. Kevin Doran had a kill to start the run, and a Barry error made it 6-1. Kills by Kraft and AJ Robateau pushed the edge to 8-2. Kraft and Scott recorded consecutive kills, and an ace by Ethan Beyreis-Heim made it 15-6. Another Scott termination pushed the edge to double digits. The Saints cruised the rest of the way as they hit .579 in the set while limiting Barry to just a .053 mark.
 
Barry led early in set two before the Saints rallied to force a tie at 7-7. The Saints went on a 5-1 run with two aces mixed in for a 12-9 lead. Maryville's margin stood at 12-10 before reeling off five straight, including three consecutive kills by Kraft. The Saints pushed the edge to 20-13 and kept the edge for a 2-0 lead.
 
Maryville took an early lead before Barry closed to 10-9. Maryville used four straight points to go up 15-10. After a Bucs error, Doran and Scott had a block. Doran and Scott's kills closed the run. The Saints clinched the run with a 6-1 run. Kraft and Scott wrapped around a Barry error. Kraft had a kill and an ace, and another finish by Scott made it 21-13. The Saints traded points to close out the victory. Maryville hammered down kills at a .391 percentage while holding the Bucs to a .058 percentage.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Kills: Luke Kraft - 13
Hitting Percentage: Luke Kraft - .588
Assists: Ethan Beyreis-Heim - 29
Service Aces: Ethan Beyreis-Heim - 2
Digs: Zac Clark - 10
Blocks: Kevin Doran and Makai Scott - 3

RECORDS
Maryville: 18-8
Barry: 10-14
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