FULTON, Mo. – The wins keep coming for Spalding as they took a 3-2 decision over Westminster and a 3-0 win against Eureka on Saturday.

The Golden Eagles moved to 4-8 overall and a perfect 3-0 in SLIAC action with the tri-match wins. The Blue Jays now sit at 8-7 and 2-1, while the Red Devils are 4-6 and 0-2 after the sweep.

G1: SU vs Westminster

The first match of the day was action packed. Set one was a true back-and-forth affair at the start with four early lead changes. Westminster took a lead at the 6-5 mark, but Spalding kept things close, puling an even 15-all. In the end, the Blue Jays held on to the lead and took the first set 25-21.

The Golden Eagles took control in the second match much like they did against Principia: a large scoring run. Tied 10-10, SU went on an 8-1 run that gave them the lead for good. A Jordan Sarver kill from Ella Clark kicked off the steak that gave Spalding the 25-16 set win.

Set three was another close game and featured nine ties. The crowd was treated to some free volleyball as neither team was able to take an immediate win due to tying at 24-all and 25-all. Two Westminster errors and a Jayda Branch kill put the Golden Eagles on top 27-25. 

The Blue Jays fell behind early in the win or go home set, but rallied late to force a fifth set. A Kendall Mattison kill tied it at 18 and a Westminster error brought it even again at 19, but the home team held on for the 25-21 set win.

In the deciding set, Spalding fell behind early. The Blue Jays held a three point lead at 6-3 before an SU 4-0 run swung the frame in the favor of the visitors. Westminster tied the contest at 7-7, but that was the closest the got the rest of the way. Three-straight Sarver kills sealed the 15-13 set win and the match.

G2: SU vs Eureka

The Golden Eagles started out hot in the first set and never trailed. A 4-0 run to open the match, that began with back to back kills from Mattison, set the tone. Spalding took the opening frame 25-17.

The Red Devils made things interesting to start the second set. Eureka took and early 3-0 led and, after SU took the lead, stayed within two until the 8-5 point. Using a 10-1 run and a 7-0 run, the Golden Eagles reached 20 points before the Red Devils could put up double digits. Spalding took the set 25-13.

Set three was the closest of the match from start to end. Neither team was able to take more than a three point lead throughout the entire frame. With the match on the line, the Golden Eagles fought back from a tie at 22-all to score three straight to win the match. The final two SU points came courtesy of Brianna Terpening service aces in the 25-22 set victory.

GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES

• Things were fairly even in the team category against Westminster in kills (58-50), aces (9-9), assists (52-49), and digs (73-76).
• In the Eureka match the Golden Eagles held a large margin in both aces (7-1) and assists (39-18).
• Jayda Branch continues to lead SU on offense. The sophomore led both matches in kills with 22 in the first and 12 in the second.
• Ella Clark hit an impressive .600 in the first match. She had six kills with no errors.
• Halle Calbert notched four aces in the first contest.

 
NEXT FOR SPALDING

Spalding takes on Greenville in a road match on Tuesday. First serve is set for 8 p.m.