Maryville University Athletics

ST. LOUIS – Maryville University volleyball gained a measure of revenge with a 3-1 victory over visiting Truman State. The Bulldogs defeated the Saints eight days ago in Kirksville, but Maryville turned the tables with a 25-20, 27-25, 20-25, 25-19 triumph Saturday. Ellie Witthaus set a career high with 13 kills with a .444 hitting percentage. Natalie Frazier matched her with 13 kills, while Mallory Sell came up with 17 digs to lead the defensive efforts.
 
How it Happened
The Saints hit .289 to key the win in the first set. Maryville was down 18-14 but stormed ahead with six straight points. After a Truman error, Frazier hammered in a kill. Taylor Reynolds served up three straight aces before a Joanna Gillen kill put the Saints on top 20-18. The visitors finally scored but Witthaus and Gillen sandwiched kills around a TSU error. The Saints closed out set one at 25-20.
 
In the second, the Saints faced three set points at 24-21 but saved them all. Truman committed an error before a Gillen kill. WItthaus and Frazier added consecutive kills to forge at 24-24 tie. A Reynolds ace pushed the Saints ahead 25-24. Truman tied the score but Witthaus had a kill, and she teamed with Gillen for a block on set point and a 27-25 win.
 
Maryville had its lowest hitting mark in the third set while Truman had its best as the match moved into the fourth set. In a back-and-forth set, the Saints saw their lead trimmed to just 17-16. Truman committed an error that sparked a 5-0 surge. Hannah Patton served a pair of aces, and Gillen and Emma Keele had a block. Another miscue by Truman built a 22-16 advantage. The Bulldogs closed to 23-19 but Truman committed a service error. Cami Kohmetscher had an ace at match point as the Saints closed the match at 25-19.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Natalie Frazier and Ellie Witthaus - 13
Hitting Percentage: Joanna Gillen and Ellie Witthaus - .444
Assists: Cami Kohmetscher - 22
Service Aces: Taylor Reynolds - 4
Digs: Mallory Sell - 17
Blocks: Leslie Longanbach - 4
 
Records
Maryville: 7-5, 2-0 GLVC
Truman State: 5-7, 1-1 GLVC
 
WHAT'S UP NEXT:
The Saints head to Warrensburg, Mo., to take on No. 25 Central Missouri Tuesday, Sept. 22, in a 6 p.m. match.