LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the first time in 2022, Spalding earned a home St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) win thanks to a 3-0 sweep of Principia.
The 25-6, 25-13, 25-18 win for the Golden Eagles moved the team to 7-13 overall and 6-4 in SLIAC matches. The Panthers fell to 0-13 and 0-11 in the SLIAC.
TURNING POINT
The first set never felt in doubt for Spalding. After surrendering the first point, the Golden Eagles jumped out to a 6-2 lead. Later a 10-1 run, featuring kills from
Jayda Branch and
Kendall Mattison as well as two service aces and a block, only added to the lead. Seven consecutive points pushed Spalding to a 25-6 frame win.
It appeared set two was going to be a closer affair in the early moments. The first six points went back and forth between both teams. A 5-0 run followed for the Golden Eagles and gave the home team some breathing room. The runs continued as an 11-1 streak gave SU a 21-6 lead. Spalding finished the set with a 25-13 lead.
Frame three saw the Golden Eagles take a commanding early lead and never relinquish it. Two kills from
Abigail Ratts and one from
Ella Clark pushed the team ahead 5-1. Principia scored a team-high 18 points, but it was not enough in the 25-18 win for SU.
GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES
- Defense came up big for Spalding again as they held the visitors to a negative hitting percentage in the first two sets.
- Balance is key: Twelve Golden Eagles had at least one dig, while nine players notched kills.
- Kayla Dunican led in kills (7) and Gabby Ellis took the lead in digs (14).
- Both Ella Clark and Emily Hodge had double-digit assists.
- As a team, the home squad had 51 digs, 40 kills, 33 assists, and 11 aces.
NEXT FOR SPALDING
Spalding takes on Fontbonne at home on Saturday with a 12 p.m. first serve. The game will be a pink out match where fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness.
