SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College women's volleyball survived its first five-set test of the season Friday, defeating the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 25-19, 23-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-12 during the Showdown in the Woods presented by the Terre Haute Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The Pomeroys improved to 9-0 with the victory, while USAO fell to 3-2.
SMWC hit .333 and recorded 15 kills in the opening set to earn a 25-19 victory. USAO answered by taking a tightly contested second set, 25-23, to even the match.
The Pomeroys regained control in the third, holding USAO to a .212 hitting percentage in a 25-17 win. The Drovers forced a deciding set after recording 16 kills and hitting .270 in a 25-23 fourth-set victory.
SMWC delivered its most efficient offensive performance of the match in the fifth set. The Pomeroys produced 10 kills with one error on 21 attempts for a .429 hitting percentage, securing the set 15-12 and preserving their unbeaten record.
Karla Melendez-Martinez led SMWC with 22 kills while adding 14 digs, three service aces and two blocks.
Ryan Canter finished with 14 kills, and
Masa Pesic added 10.
Lily Richards distributed a team-high 28 assists, while
Ariana Cruz-Gonzalez recorded 23 assists and three aces.
Gaby Fernandez anchored the defense with 24 digs and contributed six assists and three aces.
Luci Morris led the Pomeroys at the net with five blocks, and
Sofia Soto added four.
SMWC finished with 66 kills and a .249 hitting percentage. The Pomeroys held a commanding 14-3 advantage in service aces and totaled 10 blocks, 61 assists and 69 digs.
