FULTON – The Spalding University volleyball team moved one step closer to securing a spot in the SLIAC tournament Friday night topping Westminster College (15-9, 13-2 SLIAC), 3-1.

The Golden Eagles (14-15, 11-5 SLIAC) can clinch a berth in the SLIAC tournament with a win or a Principia loss.  

Splading dropped the first set, back-to-back attack errors by Jessica Diehl and Elisa Burkman contributed to a 1-5 SU deficit to begin the set.  Spalding inched their way back into the game eventually tying the score at 22 on
a Diehl kill, but the Golden Eagles came up short 24-26.  

The Golden Eagles came out hot to begin the second game, racing out to a 6-0 advantage. The Blue Jays got back into it outscoring SU 12-4 taking a 12-10 lead. A Westminster service error cut the deficit to one and
Kaylee McCartney's service ace tied the game at 12-12. An E.C. Burkman kill put SU up 13-12 and the Golden Eagles would hold off Westminster the rest of the way to win the set 25-17 on a Diehl kill.

Similar to the first set, Spalding fell behind early and trailed by four points at 19-15. Nevertheless, the Golden Eagles attack came alive out pointing the Blue Jays 6-2 to knot the score at 21 on a Katelyn Cosgrove service ace. A Burkman kill pushed Spalding into the lead for the first time since leading 4-3 and three Westminster attack errors helped SU take the third set, 25-22.   

Both teams battled back-and-forth in the fourth set resulting in an 11-11 tie. A Burkman kill helped ignite a 5-0 Spalding run as the Golden Eagles pulled away winning the set on a Cosgrove kill, 25-13.

E.C. Burkman led the offensive attack with 18 kills and a .348 kill percentage, and Katelyn Cosgrove distributed 33 assists.

Casey Wilkerson led the defense with 14 digs, while Erin Downs locked down the net tallying five total blocks.

Spalding will return home for their final three matches of the regular season. Up next, the Golden Eagles will honor their seniors on Senior Night Wednesday, October 29 versus Franklin College. First serve is slated for 7:00 p.m. EST at Derek Smith Gymnasium. You can watch the game live via SPALDING ALL-ACCESS.