JACKSON, TENN. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis volleyball team kept its perfect record in tact with another two wins on Friday as they opened play at the Union University Classic. The Tritons swept Alabama-Huntsville before capping the day by winning a thrilling five-set match over the host Bulldogs.
 
UMSL 3, ALABAMA HUNTSVILLE 0 (25-22, 26-24, 25-20)
 
RECORDS
UMSL (9-0), Alabama Huntsville (7-2)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Despite being outblocked 9-6, UMSL was able to put together a .292 hitting percentage.
- The Tritons overcame an early five-point (11-6) deficit in the first frame by using a 9-2 run to take a 15-12 lead they would not relinquish.
- In the second set, the Tritons trailed 5-0, but rallied back to knot the set at 20-20, capped with three straight points. UAH fended off set point at 24-23 with a block, with the Tritons earned the win on a kill from freshman Raquel Kessler out of the middle.
 
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Kessler tied her season-high with nine kills, committing just one error in 16 attempts.
- Senior Selena Nolte led the way with 12 kills.
- Junior Kaileen Herman dished out 30 assists, while sophomore Megan Woll tallied 16 digs and two aces.
 
UMSL 3, UNION 2 (22-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-8)
 
RECORDS
UMSL (10-0), Union (4-5)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UMSL hit .258, playing its first five-set match of the season, while limiting Union to .180 hitting.
- The Tritons racked up 72 kills, while the Bulldogs tallied 52, including just two in the fifth set.
- UMSL rallied from a 20-17 deficit in the fourth set to help force the fifth frame.
- The Tritons scored the final six points of the fifth set, getting three kills from Kessler and two from Nolte.
 
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Nolte tallied a match-high 22 kills, while senior Kylie Rudsinski added 18 to go with two aces.
- Herman dished out 50 assists and added 22 digs.
 
UP NEXT
UMSL closes out the Union University Classic tomorrow with matches against West Virginia State and Quincy at Noon and 4 p.m., respectively.