Topeka, Kan. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis volleyball team swept past Arkansas-Monticello for its third straight on Saturday afternoon at the Ichabod Classic in Topeka, Kan. The Tritons even their record at 5-5 while the Cotton Blossoms are 2-11.
UMSL overcame a slow start as it trailed by five points early before rallying to take the opening set 25-22. The Tritons hit .217 in the stanza recording 19 kills and were led by
Alayna Santel and
Maggie Johnson with six kills apiece while
Brooklyn Young added four kills.
UMSL used an 8-1 run in the middle frame to erase an early deficit to seize control of the set. Santel and
Addison Voorhees combined for five kills in that run. The Triton lead grew nine before UAM made a run to close within six points but it wasn't enough as UMSL closed out the set with back-to-back kills from Johnson and an ace from
Lauren Jamruk to win 25-16.
Santel recorded three of the Tritons first four kills in the third set to record her 1,000th career kill. UMSL jumped out to an early five-point lead but the Cotton Blossoms wouldn't go quietly as it drew to within two before the Tritons put the match away with a 12-6 run for the 25-17 victory.
UMSL hit .327 for the contest with 49 kills against 14 errors in 107 attempts and was led by Santel with 17 kills while Johnson added 11 kills and Young finished with 10 kills.
Marly Burbach added 36 assists, nine digs, two blocks, an ace and a kill. Young, Santel and
Mady Gant had four blocks each and
Skylar Weaver finished with 11 digs.
Arkansas-Monticello was held to .082 hitting percentage with 25 kills against 17 errors in 97 attempts and was led by Isabella Garcia with seven kills. Ella Cline handed out 19 assists while Allyson Rosa finished with 10 digs.
The Tritons host Southwest Baptist in their home and conference opener on Friday (Sept. 18) at 6 p.m., at the Mark Twain Building.
