SANDUSKY, Ohio - Saint Mary's College Volleyball opened the 2024 season back-to-back victories over Pennsylvania State University-Altoona, 3-2, and a sweep of Pennsylvania State University-Behrend, 3-0.
Saint Mary's vs PSU-Altoona
The Belles got out to a quick start in the first set, getting out to an early 6-0 lead behind two kills from senior Cali Allen and two service aces from sophomore Abby Reese. Saint Mary's continued to dominate in the first set, extending their lead to a high of seven points in the middle of the set and the score never came closer than three until the final few points as the Belles took the set, 25-22. Freshman Kalli Lewkowski got out to a flying start in her Belle debut, tallying five kills in the first set.
Both teams played tightly in the second set. While the Belles took an early lead, after trading leads in the middle of the set, the Lions stretched themselves out at the end of the set and took the victory with a 26th point. Both Allen and Lewkowski continued to dominate up front as both had seven kills on the match, tied for the match high, while Reese was putting up an incredible 22 assists early on.
Saint Mary's bounced back in the third set, taking the victory over PSU-Altoona, 25-21. While the set was close the entire way, the Belles stretched their lead to a high of five points throughout the set. Sophomore Caroline Carens stepped up big for Saint Mary's as she went on to post six kills in the set, bringing her total to a match high 12.
The Lions were able to take advantage of some crucial runs in the fourth set, taking the victory, 25-14, to even the match and send it into a fifth set.
While both teams traded points early on in the fifth set, the Belles were able to use a five point run at the end to secure the set, 15-8, and win the match. Saint Mary's would finish the match with three players with double-digit kills as Carens (15) led the way while Lewkowski (13) and Allen (10) followed suit. Reese put up an incredible 46 assists on the match, more than double the next highest while junior Karli Fegan led the match with 26 digs.
Saint Mary's vs PSU-Behrend
After taking a quick lead, PSU-Behrend kept Saint Mary's to just a one point lead for the majority of the first set before taking a quick lead. The Belles fought through at the end of the set and went on a 6-3 run to close and win the set, 25-22. Lewkowski led the way early for the Belles again as she had five kills in the set while Reese put up an incredible 12 assists.
Both teams came out strong to start the second set before Saint Mary's was able to take as much as a seven point lead early in the set. The Belles never looked back and never let their lead dip below three points and it grew as large as nine and finished strong to win the second set, 25-19. Lewkowski and sophomore Grace Braselton both added three kills in the set while Reese added six digs.
The Belles finished off the match with a resounding 25-17 victory over the Lions to sweep the match. Braselton finished with a match high 10 kills while Lewkowski and Allen added nine each. Allen also added a match high five service aces while Reese added 33 assists and 14 digs, both match highs.
UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES:
Saint Mary's returns to action tomorrow as they play their final two matches of the Great Lakes Crossover as they meet with Kenyon College at 10am and Anderson University at 2pm.