Pittsburg, Kan. – On the final day of the Pitt State Classic, the Maryville volleyball team lost to No. 7 Southwest Minnesota State 25-20, 25-21, 25-15 but closed out the tourney on a high note by sweeping Southern Nazarene 25-18, 25-17, 25-21.
 
Southwest Minnesota State Recap
The Saints put up their best hitting percentage of the match but Southwest Minnesota State did the same to win the set. The Saints took a 6-3 lead after a block by Caroline Glastetter and Leslie Longanbach. Maryville was still ahead at 8-5 following an Emma Hoing kill. The Mustangs went on a 6-0 run to take the lead. The Saints answered with five straight points before Southwest Minnesota matched Maryville with a 5-0 and eight of the next 10 points.
 
The Mustangs went on a big run early in set two to grab the lead. The Saints chipped away before reeling off four straight points, capped by back-to-back aces by Taylor Reynolds. A Brinkmann kill and a Mustang error pulled the Saints to within 20-19 but Maryville never tied the set. The Mustang scored five straight and seven of eight points in the finale and the Saints never got the deficit below five points as Southwest Minnesota State remained unbeaten on the season.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Brinkmann - 15
Hitting Percentage: Ella Brinkmann - .342
Assists: Taylor Reynolds - 17
Service Aces: Taylor Reynolds - 2
Digs: Ella Brinkmann - 18
Blocks: Leslie Longanbach - 4
 
Records
Maryville: 1-5
No. 7 Southwest Minnesota State: 6-0
 
Southern Nazarene Recap
Emma Hoing recorded a season-high 14 kills and hit .400 to pace the Saints to their first sweep of the season. Trailing 17-15, Maryville roared in front on a 6-0 run. Ellie Witthaus had a kill to start the burst and finished a point for a 21-17 lead. SNU scored a point before the Saints closed the set with four straight points.
 
An early 4-0 run built a 10-3 advantage capped by Hailey Levinson's kill. SNU closed to within six points but Maryville seized control with five straight points and took the first two sets. Trailing 17-16, the Saints went on a 4-0 run. After a Leslie Longanbach solo block started the burst, Hoing's kill capped the run at 20-17. SNU tied the score at 21-all but Maryville closed out the match with four straight points. A block by Witthaus and Levinson ended the match.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Emma Hoing - 14
Hitting Percentage: Emma Hoing - .400
Assists: Taylor Reynolds - 19
Service Aces: Ellie Witthaus - 1
Digs: Olivia Klump - 14
Blocks: Leslie Longanbach - 5
 
Records
Maryville: 2-5
Southern Nazarene: 2-5
 
What's Next?
The Saints trek to Springfield, Ill., for the Prairie Star Classic hosted by UIS Sept. 19-20.