ELSAH, Ill. – Spalding volleyball split a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) tri-match on the road Saturday with a 3-0 win over the hosts Principia College and a 3-1 setback to Webster University.

The Golden Eagles moved to 6-11 overall and 3-4 in the SLIAC after the Saturday split. The Panthers fell to 0-15, while the Gorloks sit at 9-9 after the sweep.

M1: SU vs. Principia
Spalding took on the host, Principia, in the first match of the day. The Golden Eagles started hot, beginning the game on a 4-0 run against the Panthers. SU took advantage of this and never gave up the lead. With the help of Jayda Branch and Drea White, each getting 4 kills, Spalding took the first set 25-14.

It was an even contest to begin the second frame, starting off 4-4. A kill by Jordyn Sarver gave the Golden Eagles some momentum, sparking a 6-0 run, giving Spalding a 10-4 advantage over Principia. For the rest of the set, it was all SU. Spalding closed the set, winning it 25-16.

To begin the final set, it was all the Panthers. Principia began the final frame on a 5-1 run. Despite the deficit, SU fought back with their own 6-0 run, tying it 10-10. The next 6 points were a battle, keeping the match close at 13-13. A kill from Kayla Dunican gave the Golden Eagles some momentum to end this final set. SU had a 21-16 advantage, towards the end of the frame. An error from Principia and 3 kills from Jayda Branch helped Spalding close out the match 25-16.

M2: SU vs. Webster
The Golden Eagles took on SLIAC opponent, Webster, for the second game of the day. The Gorloks started the game on a 5-0 run. A couple of errors by Webster and 2 kills by Jordyn Sarver helped SU fire back with their own 10-2 run. Spalding took back the lead at 10-7. It was a back-and-forth contest for the remainder of the set, but the Gorloks closed it out 25-21.

SU controlled the start of the second frame with an 8-1 run. Webster tried to climb back into the game, but the Golden Eagles were unstoppable in this set. Jayda Branch with five kills and Jordan Sarver with four, helped Spalding take charge from the beginning of this set. SU was unstoppable, winning this set 25-14.

Spalding and their SLIAC opponent had a closer battle to begin the third frame, with the score being 4-4. This was a competitive match all the way up to 16-16. Webster took control of this frame by going on a 9-1 run. The Gorloks closed it out 25-17.

In the final set, the Golden Eagles started on a 3-0 run. Webster did not take long to get back into this match, tying the game up at 6-6. From here on out it was all the Gorloks. WU did not give up the lead for the rest of the frame, closing it out 25-16.

GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES

• Jayda Branch led the Golden Eagles in both matches in kills with 17 in the first and 16 in the second.
• Branch led SU in total points with 36.
• Spalding led in most categories against Principia. The Golden Eagles led in kills (41-24) and assists (37-23).
• The Golden Eagles had a perfect reception percentage against the Panthers.

NEXT FOR SPALDING
Spalding hosts Blackburn on Thursday, October 12th for Senior Night. First serve is set for 6 p.m.