NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Saint Mary's College Volleyball kept their undefeated season alive with a big 3-1 win over the University of Olivet on Wednesday. The Belles improved to 12-0 on the season while the Comets fall to 4-10.
Saint Mary's would get out to a quick lead in the first set, opening the game on a 10-3 run. Throughout the majority of the set, Olivet would struggle to keep the Belles off the board as both teams would trade points with a couple small runs for the Belles thrown in. As it seemed like the Belles were going to close out the set early, the Comets would go on a 7-2 run to test the Belles. Saint Mary's would take advantage of a kill from senior Delaney Martin (North Judson, IN) and an error from Olivet would secure the first set for Saint Mary's, 25-18.
The second set was a back and forth fight for both teams as no team would be able to grab a lead more than a few points. As the teams traded points, with short three and four point runs, neither team could gain full control. When down by a couple points, Olivet would go on a short 3-0 run to take the lead before Saint Mary's would go on a 3-0 run of their own to take the lead back. But the Comets would finish the set on a 5-1 run to close out the set, 25-23, and even the match at one a piece. Freshman Shannon Rudge (Granger, IN) would lead the Belles with six kills at the end of the second set while sophomore Giuliana Graczyk (Chicago, IL) would add 11 assists.
The same story from the second set would continue into the third. Both teams would trade points before a couple short runs would give the Belles a four point lead. The Comets would storm right back and retake the lead 18-17. After going down, Saint Mary's would go on an 8-2 run to close out the set and take their 2-1 lead with a 25-20 victory. Rudge and senior Grace Braselton (Grand Rapids, MI) would each lead the team with seven kills while Graczyk and freshman Maddie Taitano (Tacoma, WA) would each move into double-digit assists, Graczyk with 15 and Taitano with 12.
The teams would continue to trade points throughout the fourth set before Saint Mary's was able to get out in front with an 11-3 lead to go ahead by eight points. While the Comets tried to fight back with a couple more short runs, the Belles would close out the set and the match with a big kill from Taitano to win the set, 25-19, and the match, 3-1, keeping the perfect season alive.
Rudge would lead the Belles with 12 kills on the night while Braselton and sophomore Kalli Lewkowski (Spring Lake, MI) would each add nine and junior Caroline Carens (Naperville, IL) added eight. Graczyk and Taitano would each total 20 assists on the night, a career best for Taitano. Senior Karli Fegan (Orland Park, IL) would lead the Belles with 14 digs while freshman Lexi Szymanski (Walker, MI) would add 13, all coming in the final two sets.
UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES
Saint Mary's hits the road this weekend as they travel to North Manchester, IN to take part in a tri-match with Manchester University and North Central College. The Belles and Spartans will face off for the second time this season at 1pm while they take on the Cardinals at 3:30pm. Saint Mary's returns home on September 30 as they host Alma College for their MIAA opener at 7pm as they also celebrate their annual Red Glasses Game.
