MIDWAY, Ky. — Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College women's volleyball reached the 30-win mark and remained unbeaten in River States Conference play Friday with a four-set victory over Midway University at Marshall Gymnasium.
The Pomeroys (30-1, 7-0 RSC) defeated the Eagles 25-22, 28-30, 25-14, 25-15 while recording 60 kills, 13 service aces and nine blocks.
Ryan Carter led SMWC with 16 kills on a .394 hitting percentage and added three block assists.
Karla Melendez Martinez finished with 13 kills, eight digs and two aces, while
Masa Pesic contributed 11 kills, hit .300 and totaled three block assists.
The opening set featured 14 ties before the Pomeroys created separation late. With the score even at 22,
Luci Morris delivered a kill before SMWC capitalized on a Midway setting error and attack error to secure the final three points and take the set, 25-22.
SMWC built a 20-15 advantage in the second set, but Midway answered with six consecutive points to move ahead, 21-20. The Pomeroys fought off set point and briefly took a 25-24 lead behind kills from Carter and
Ellie Kleve. The teams traded points until Midway broke a 28-28 tie with a kill and an SMWC attack error to claim the set, 30-28.
The Pomeroys responded decisively in the third. Leading 8-4, SMWC used
Gaby Fernandez's serving to produce six consecutive points, including two aces and kills from Morris, Carter and Melendez Martinez. The lead eventually grew to 21-10 before
Alexa Orozco recorded three of SMWC's final four kills to close the 25-14 victory.
Midway held a 6-4 advantage early in the fourth set before the Pomeroys took control. With the score tied at 8, Fernandez again sparked a six-point run from the service line.
She recorded three aces during the surge, while Morris and Orozco added kills and combined for a block to give SMWC a 14-8 lead. The Pomeroys extended the margin to 18-9 and Carter delivered the match-clinching kill for a 25-15 victory.
Fernandez filled the stat sheet with a match-high 19 digs, 10 assists and five service aces.
Ariana Cruz-Gonzalez directed the offense with 26 assists and added eight digs, while
Lily Richards finished with 17 assists.
Harper Ash recorded four of the Pomeroys' 13 aces.
Morris totaled six kills on a .333 hitting percentage and led SMWC with six blocks, including one solo stop. Orozco supplied six kills while hitting .364 in two sets.
SMWC returns to RSC action Saturday with a 1 p.m. match against Indiana University East in Richmond, Ind.
