Maryville University Athletics

ST. LOUIS – In the latest edition of the Conway Clash, the Maryville University volleyball team took No. 10 Missouri Baptist the distance but the host Spartans won a narrow five-set decision. The Saints succumbed 26-24, 19-25, 21-25, 25-21, 13-15 in the Petty SRC. Ella Domian and Natalie Frazier paced the attack with 15 kills apiece, while Ellie Witthaus added 12 kills. Cami Kohmetscher notched another double-double on 31 assists and 15 digs, while Mallory Sell came up with 31 digs, the third time she has reached at least 30 digs in a match.
 
How it Happened
In the decisive fifth set, the Saints found themselves trailing 3-0 but answered with four straight points. Kadie Tarasiewicz started the run with consecutive kills before MBU committed back-to-back hitting errors. The Spartans tied the score at 4-4 but Tarasiewicz recorded a solo block. The Spartans built an 8-5 lead until Gillen had a kill and teamed with Frazier for a block to make it 8-7. Witthaus had a kill and worked with Gillen for a block and a 9-9 tie. MBU scored two straight but Emma Keele and Tarasiewicz tied the score at 11-all with kills. The hosts pushed their lead to 14-11. The Saints saved two match points and trimmed the gap to 14-13 but were unable to tie the score as an MBU kill ended the match.
 
In the opening set, the Saints appeared to be in serious trouble staring at a 21-13 deficit. Frazier put down a kill that started a 5-0 surge. The gap was still 22-18 but Maryville received three straight kills from Frazier that started a 6-0 surge. At 24-22, MBU tied the score at 24-24 but Frazier capped the spree with two more kills for a 26-24 win. The Saints hit well over .300 but the Spartans were even better to take the second set.
 
MBU continued its strong play and cruised to the win in the third set. Maryville hit .343 in the fourth set to force a fifth and deciding set. Down 19-15, the Saints scored five of the next six points to force a tie at 20-20. MBU took one final lead at 21-20 but Maryville responded with five straight points as the match went the distance.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ella Domian and Natalie Frazier - 15
Hitting Percentage: Joanna Gillen - .538
Assists: Cami Kohmetscher - 31
Service Aces: three players - 1
Digs: Mallory Sell - 31
Blocks: Joanna Gillen - 4
 
Records
Maryville: 8-7
#10 Missouri Baptist: 15-2
 
WHAT'S UP NEXT:
The Saints return to league play Friday, Oct. 2, with a match at #24 Indianapolis in a 5 p.m. CT first serve.