DANVILLE, Ky. – The Spalding University volleyball team won a set but ultimately fell to Centre College 3-1 in both teams' 2022 season-opening contest.

The 16-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-25 defeat marked the first time the Golden Eagles opened the season against the Colonels since 2016.

TURNING POINT

The first set leaned heavily in the host's favor to start before a 4-0 SU run tied things at 11-all. Kills from Jayda Branch and Kaylee Baker, as well as a Branch service ace and a Centre error, filled out the run. Unfortunately, the Colonels regrouped and took the set one win.

It appeared the second set was going to be a similar story, with Centre jumping out to a 7-3 lead. The Golden Eagles rallied and put together a 7-1 run and took their first lead of the set. A Colonel 4-0 run flipped the lead again, but it did not last long. Spalding went on a run again and a Baker kill gave SU the lead for good in the second frame. It was the first set win for new head coach Taryn Glass.

Centre led from 4-3 in the third set, but the Golden Eagles kept things close most of the way. A 5-0 run pulled Spalding within three at 19-16, which was as close as SU got the rest of the 25-21 set loss.

The final set spelled bad news for the visitors. A wire-to-wire lead for the Colonels, and hitting struggles for the Golden Eagles, sealed the 3-1 Centre win in a 25-15 set four.

GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES

• Bright Future: Three Spalding freshmen led the match in their respective stat categories. Kaylee Baker led in kills (14), Abigail Ratts led in blocks (4), and Ella Clark led in assists (19).
• SU out-blocked the Colonels with a 6-2 advantage.
• The Golden Eagles held even or nearly even with the Colonels in kills (40-42), assists (36-36), and digs (38-39).

NEXT FOR SPALDING

Spalding volleyball is en route to Portland, Maine where they will face the University of New England and Saint Joseph's College - Maine on Saturday. First serve against UNE is set for 10 a.m. with the SJC match following at 2 p.m.