ST. LOUIS — Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College continued its historic season Tuesday night, sweeping the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis 25-9, 25-18, 25-21.
The Pomeroys improved to 27-1 overall and extended their winning streak to three matches. SMWC's 27 victories are the most by any college volleyball team at any level this season.
SMWC controlled the match from the service line, finishing with 13 aces while not allowing one by the Eutectics. The Pomeroys also held advantages in kills, 40-17, and digs, 70-51, while limiting UHSP to a .046 hitting percentage.
Sydni Gardner led a balanced SMWC attack with 10 kills and two block assists.
Alexa Orozco added eight kills and 10 digs, while
Addison Simmons recorded six kills in two sets.
Selena Sosa anchored the back row with a match-high 22 digs and four service aces.
Daniella Zvonar contributed 11 digs and three aces, while
Harper Ash finished with nine digs, eight assists and three aces.
Marianna Ayala-Ortiz directed the offense with 17 assists, six digs and three aces.
Ayiana Nieves added seven assists in the opening set.
SMWC seized control immediately, scoring the first seven points of the match.
Luci Morris opened the scoring with a kill before Ash served the Pomeroys through the next six points. Gardner delivered three kills during the run, Ash added an ace and
Masa Pesic capped the surge with a kill.
The Pomeroys never allowed UHSP closer than five points the rest of the opening set. Consecutive points from Ayala-Ortiz — an ace followed by an assist on Gardner's set-ending kill — completed the 25-9 victory. SMWC hit .290 in the frame while holding the Eutectics to a negative-.029 percentage.
The teams traded points early in the second set and were tied at 9 before SMWC began to pull away.
Raimey Owens and Orozco supplied kills as the Pomeroys built a 13-10 advantage.
SMWC then used a 7-2 run to stretch its lead to 20-12. Orozco recorded four kills during the decisive stretch, while Gardner and
Ellie Kleve also put away attacks. Gardner later gave the Pomeroys set point with a kill, and Orozco closed the 25-18 win with her eighth kill of the match.
The Pomeroys opened the third set with a 6-2 advantage behind two Simmons kills and two Sosa aces, but UHSP responded with five straight points to take a 7-6 lead.
SMWC regained control with another surge. Zvonar recorded an ace, Orozco and
Leah Luevanos added kills and the Pomeroys moved in front 12-8. UHSP made one final push, erasing an 18-15 deficit and taking a 19-18 lead.
The Pomeroys answered under pressure. Gardner tied the set at 19 with a kill, Luevanos put SMWC ahead 21-20 and Ash followed with an ace. After UHSP pulled within 22-21, Owens delivered a kill before Zvonar fired consecutive aces to finish the set and match.
SMWC returns to Knoerle Center for a pair of major River States Conference matches during Homecoming Weekend. The Pomeroys host IU Columbus at 7 p.m. Friday before welcoming IU Southeast at 1 p.m. Saturday. Saturday's matchup has been selected as the River States Conference Game of the Week.
