LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Spalding volleyball earned two SLIAC wins Saturday in a tri-match, against the Westminster Blue Jays and the Eureka Red Devils, to extend their streak to three conference wins in a row. 

The Golden Eagles moved to 9-11 overall (6-4 SLIAC) after the Saturday sweep. The Blue Jays moved to 12-11 on the season, while the Red Devils fell to 3-14.

M1: SU vs. Westminster
The first set of the match did an excellent job of foreshadowing the remaining sets. Neither team could really gain control of the set with the Blue Jays going on a four point run early followed by Spalding taking five of the next seven points. A kill from Jayda Branch helped spark another Golden Eagle run as the home side took eight of the next 10 points. This helped boost the SU lead to 14-10. Westminster kept it close, but were unable to overcome the deficit. Spalding took the first set 25-19.

As prophesied by the first set, the second set was also back and forth. The visitors went on a small run early to take a 7-3 lead. Spalding did not give up though, and fought hard to keep it close. A pair of blocks from Drea White helped bring SU back into the game, making the score 8-7 in favor of the Blue Jays. The two teams traded points back and forth with the visitors slowly growing their advantage. After falling behind 18-15, a pair of kills from Branch followed by a service ace from White tied the score at 18-18. Westminster followed with a run of four in a row to reclaim their lead and ultimately closed the set, winning 25-22. 

After falling behind early in the third set, Spalding went on a four point run to take a slim 4-2 lead. The Golden Eagles held onto a slim lead for the majority of the set. Following a short three point run by the Blue Jays, SU went on a four point run to push their lead to 15-10. This five point advantage proved too much for the visitors to overcome, despite a strong effort. Kayla Dunican closed the set with a kill for the Golden Eagles, 25-22. 

In order to keep with the back and forth nature of the match, the two SLIAC opponents started the fourth set trading points back and forth. This included three ties in the first five points. Westminster slowly chipped away at the Spalding defense, building a small lead over the hosts. With a block from Halle Calbert and Dunican, tying the game at 11, Spalding seemed to be in prime position to take over the set. The Blue Jays quickly slammed the door though, taking six of the next eight points to go up 17-13. Despite a valiant effort from the home side, Westminster closed the set on a five point run. The Blue Jays won the set 25-18. 

Anyone who had been following along with the game knew a fifth set was going to be needed to decide a winner between these two talented squads. As expected, the teams traded points back and forth. Westminster went on a five point run and took a lead that would make Dolly Parton happy. Spalding fought back from this 9-5 deficit though, going on a four point run of their own to knot the score 9-9. To help win the set, Branch and Dunican each had a kill while White and Ella Clark each added in a service ace. The Golden Eagles took the pivotal set via a kill from Calbert, winning 15-13. 

M2: SU vs. Eureka
After the neutral site game, the Golden Eagles took on the Red Devils in the final match of the day. After falling behind 5-2 to start the first set, Spalding rallied back with 10 of the next 11 points to go up 12-6. A kill from Ella Clark sparked another big run for the Golden Eagles, with the hosts scoring nine of the next 10 points. Spalding held onto their large lead, winning the opening set 25-15.

SU kept their foot on the gas, with a Calbert kill to open the second set. This provided the momentum needed to keep the hosts on top throughout the set. Spalding shared the load offensively with Dunican leading the way, tallying six kills. Abigail Ratts added in two kills of her own, as well as a block. The Golden Eagles took the second set 25-12. 

Opening the final set, Spalding again took a quick lead, this time putting up 12 of the first 16 points. The visitors fought back, but their efforts were in vain. Led by six kills from Sarver and four from Branch, the Golden Eagles took the third set in similar fashion to the first, 25-15.

GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES

• Jayda Branch led the Golden Eagle offense with 34 kills on the day (21 and 13 respectively).
• Ella Clark tallied six service aces on the day, including four against Eureka.
• Spalding out hit both of their opponents, hitting 0.174-0.165 vs Westminster and 0.313-0.065 vs Eureka. This was good for a combined total of 0.225-0.131 on the day.
• The Golden Eagles defense had a block party against Westminster with seven, including a career high six from Drea White.

NEXT FOR SPALDING
Spalding hosts Principia on Tuesday, October 17th with the first serve set for 6 p.m. Be sure to wear some pink to show your support for the Spalding Breast Cancer Awareness Pinkout.