Eagles Open Up Mabee Fieldhouse Against Spires

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Avila volleyball made its long-awaited home debut on Wednesday night in Kansas City, opening the Mabee Fieldhouse doors for the first time in the 2023 season by welcoming local KCAC foes Saint Mary. After a tight first set, the Spires (12-4, 1-0 KCAC) took control in the second set, ultimately defeating the Eagles (3-8, 0-1 KCAC) in straight sets in the conference opener for both sides.

A massive crowd filled the brand-new bleachers in Mabee Fieldhouse for the first time this fall to see Avila volleyball at home for the first time and to honor the men's and women's bowling teams, which received their 2023 KCAC Bowling Invitational Championship rings during the match. But the Spires were quick to spoil the party and earn some revenge from last season's Eagles victory in the same building.

The Spires started the match on the front foot until the Eagles rallied to even things up at 10 apiece in the early stages. Saint Mary then went up 18-15 before Avila scored three straight, tying things up at 18 on a Maddie Jones service ace. But the Spires were the last to rally, scoring seven of the final nine points to claim the first set 25-20.

The Eagles were never able to get in sync in any phase in the second set. The Spires raced out to a 7-1 lead and led by as many as 12 points before the Eagles came to life with a 6-1 run anchored by a Siobhan Dittmer solo block. But USM's lead was simply too large, and the visitors claimed the second set 25-15.

After a handful of Avila errors gifted Saint Mary an early lead in the third set, the Eagles got things in gear, scoring eight out of ten to vault in front 12-9, keyed by blocks from Dittmer, Jones and Sydney Owens. Then it was Saint Mary's turn to surge – the Spires ripped off a 10-1 run, forcing two Avila timeouts, to take a commanding lead.

Avila once again rallied late, getting kills from Dittmer, Owens and Phoebe Riddle to score four straight and pull back within 21-19. But then, top Spire hitter Madison Folsom delivered a pair of kills and Renata Dominguez cleaned up a misplay at the net to finish off the Eagles in set three, with Saint Mary victorious 25-20.

Veteran USM outside Rylee Kenitzer led the charge per usual with 10 kills on .500 hitting, with Keagan Shockley adding eight kills on .333 hitting. Jones tied Kenitzer for the match lead with 10 kills; Daphne Gardner recorded a double-double in her first home match; Abigail Blake led the Eagles with 12 digs.

Avila volleyball will have a quick turnaround before its next KCAC contest, which is scheduled for Friday, September 22 in Sterling, Kansas against the Warriors. JV gets the night started at 4:15 PM with varsity to follow at 6 PM; as always, you can watch all the action on the KCAC Network.