FULTON, Mo. -- The Spalding University women's volleyball team battled to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Westminster on September 19, 2025, earning their first SLIAC win of the season in dramatic fashion.
TURNING POINT
The Golden Eagles came out strong, dominating the opening set 25-13 with steady defense and balanced scoring. Westminster responded by edging out the second set 26-24, but Spalding answered right back in the third, taking it 25-19 to reclaim momentum. After dropping another close set in the fourth, 25-23, the Golden Eagles showed their toughness in the decisive fifth set, pulling away late for a 15-11 win to seal the match.
Offensively, Spalding spread the ball around effectively, with
Paloma Martinez leading the way with 12 kills, while
Shannon Kasama added 9 and
Sophi Reynolds chipped in 7. From the service line, the Golden Eagles put constant pressure on Westminster, as
Adreonna Anderson delivered 4 aces and both
Jobi Smith and
Jaylen Wheatley added 3 each. At the net, Spalding's blocking presence made a difference, with Martinez and
Makayliah Grundy each tallying 5 total blocks and Anderson contributing 4 more. On the defensive side, Spalding collected 65 digs as a team, showing hustle and resilience in long rallies.
Setting duties were shared effectively, with Reynolds handing out 21 assists and
Taimane Alo adding 15, keeping Spalding's attack balanced and unpredictable. The win was a showcase of grit and teamwork, as the Golden Eagles consistently responded to Westminster's pushes and elevated their play when it mattered most.
GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES
