SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College continued its dominant season Friday evening, cruising to a 3-0 (25-11, 25-9, 25-16) victory over Kentucky Christian University in River States Conference women's volleyball action at the Jeanne Knoerle Sports and Recreation Center.
The Pomeroys improved to 32-1 overall and remained unbeaten in conference play at 9-0, using an efficient offensive attack, aggressive serving and a balanced contribution throughout the lineup to secure another convincing victory.
Alexa Orozco led the Pomeroys with nine kills, 13 digs, two service aces and a solo block.
Sofia Soto delivered an outstanding performance at the net, finishing with seven kills on 10 attempts without an error for a .700 hitting percentage while contributing three blocks, including one solo.
Leishmarie Virella anchored the defensive effort with a match-high 19 digs and four service aces, helping SMWC maintain control from the opening serve.
First Set: SMWC 25, Kentucky Christian 11
The Pomeroys wasted little time establishing control, opening the match with a kill from
Masa Pesic and a service ace from Virella to build an early 3-0 advantage.
After Kentucky Christian trimmed the deficit to 7-4, SMWC responded with a six-point surge that featured two kills from
Ryan Canter, an ace from
Alexa Stiff and a kill by Orozco. The run stretched the lead to 13-4 and forced the Knights to play from behind.
The Pomeroys continued to build separation as Orozco and Pesic found success offensively. Consecutive kills from Orozco and Pesic helped push the margin to 17-6 before
Luci Morris contributed a kill and Orozco followed with a service ace to make it 20-7.
Soto supplied two late kills, and Orozco finished the opening set with a kill off an assist from Virella.
SMWC hit an impressive .448 in the frame, recording 15 kills against just two attack errors.
Second Set: SMWC 25, Kentucky Christian 9
Virella sparked a dominant start to the second set, serving the first 12 points as the Pomeroys raced to a commanding 12-0 advantage.
The run featured two service aces from Virella, three kills from Soto, two from
Natalie Knigga and another from
Raimey Owens. Strong net defense also contributed to the early separation, including blocks involving Soto and Knigga.
Kentucky Christian finally got on the scoreboard at 12-1, but the Pomeroys continued to dictate the pace.
Kelstin Burnette added a kill before Orozco delivered a pair of kills during another SMWC surge that stretched the lead to 22-4. The Pomeroys also received timely blocking contributions from Burnette and
Leah Luevanos.
After the Knights scored four consecutive points with SMWC holding set point, Orozco ended the frame with a kill to seal the 25-9 victory.
The Pomeroys held Kentucky Christian to a negative .175 hitting percentage in the second set.
Third Set: SMWC 25, Kentucky Christian 16
SMWC turned to additional contributors in the third set without surrendering control of the match.
Luevanos opened the scoring with a kill, while
Ellie Kleve supplied an early offensive spark. Kleve finished the frame with four kills on five attempts, hitting .600.
After the Knights stayed within 4-3, Stiff recorded a service ace and Orozco added a kill as the Pomeroys pushed their advantage to 7-3.
Orozco later helped fuel another stretch, combining a service ace with a kill by Knigga to give SMWC a 13-5 advantage. Owens, Knigga and Kleve continued to contribute offensively as the Pomeroys maintained a comfortable lead.
Kentucky Christian made a late push, but a Knigga kill moved SMWC to match point at 24-15 after another Virella service ace.
The Pomeroys completed the sweep with a 25-16 victory in the third set.
Balanced Effort Highlights Another Conference Victory
SMWC finished the match with 43 kills and just nine attack errors on 92 attempts for a .370 hitting percentage, while limiting Kentucky Christian to 15 kills and a .000 hitting percentage.
The Pomeroys also held a 54-37 advantage in digs, finished with nine service aces and recorded six team blocks.
Along with Orozco's nine kills and Soto's seven, Knigga contributed six kills, while Burnette and Kleve recorded four apiece. Burnette also assisted on two blocks.
Lily Richards distributed 12 assists,
Ariana Cruz-Gonzalez added 11, and
Ayiana Nieves and
Harper Ash chipped in five each as SMWC showcased its depth at setter.
Virella's 19 digs led the defensive effort, followed by Orozco's 13. The Pomeroys also received two service aces apiece from Orozco and Stiff.
Elizabeth Rigsby led Kentucky Christian (1-18, 1-7 RSC) with four kills, while Kendall Tucker collected 15 digs.
Up Next
SMWC returns to the road next weekend for a pair of River States Conference matches.
The Pomeroys travel to Columbus, Indiana, on Friday, Oct. 23, to face Indiana University Columbus at 7 p.m. Eastern.
SMWC then heads to New Albany, Indiana, on Saturday, Oct. 24, for a 1 p.m. Eastern matchup against Indiana University Southeast.
Both contests will provide the Pomeroys with opportunities to extend their unbeaten conference record as the regular season continues.
