Volleyball Wins Home Opener Over Spires

CRETE, Neb. – In another chapter of a developing rivalry, Doane Volleyball edged Saint Mary (Kan.) in a five-set thriller (25-18, 14-25, 25-20, 20-25, 15-10) on Wednesday night. The match marked the fourth time in the six meetings between the two programs that the match has gone the distance.

The Tigers (6-3) rode a balanced attack and gritty defense to secure the victory. Natalie Wood powered the front line with 16 kills and three blocks, while Kate Roseland added 14 kills and a .310 hitting percentage. Doane setter Camdyn Carpenter dished out 47 assists and chipped in 17 digs, orchestrating the offense with poise.

Doane's defense made the difference in the marathon battle, racking up 84 digs. Kaylee Rammell and Chloe Rose anchored the back row with 18 and 14 digs, respectively, while Brooke Larsen added 11. Jerney Tang-Silva contributed six block assists, helping the Tigers control the net late in key rallies.

Saint Mary (6-3) showed resilience throughout, forcing the decisive fifth set behind standout performances from MJ Stephens (16 kills, 11 digs, 3 aces) and Saige Hadley (12 kills, 11 digs). Setter Addison Baker tallied 23 assists, while libero Gabby Kurle led all players with 18 digs.

The Tigers opened strong, taking the first set 25-18, but Saint Mary responded with a dominant 25-14 win in the second frame. The teams traded the next two sets, setting up a winner-take-all fifth. In the final set, Doane seized momentum with a 7–4 lead and never looked back, closing out the match 15-10 on a kill by Wood.

The win not only leveled both teams' records at 6-3 but also added another memorable five-set clash to their recent history. Doane's balanced performance—highlighted by five players recording double-digit digs and three players reaching double-figure kills—showcased the team's depth and endurance.

The Tigers return to action this weekend in McPherson, Kansas, for the Bulldogs' invite and looking to build on the momentum of a hard-fought home win.

Final: Doane 3, Saint Mary 2

(generated by ChatGPT)