UMSL sophomore Karli Dean goes up for a hit attempt during Saturday’s win over William Jewell at the Mark Twain Building. (Photo courtesy: UMSL Athletics)
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM JEWELLÂ (4-8) | 17 | 17 | 11 | 0 |
| UMSLÂ (9-3) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
by Cedric Williams
Senior Editor
The University of Missouri-St. Louis women’s volleyball team won its sixth match in a row, Saturday afternoon at the Mark Twain Building, when the Tritons swept three straight sets over visiting William Jewell College by the scores of 25-17, 25-17, 25-11.
UMSL, which had played nothing but road matches the previous three weeks of the season, finally got its chance to play on its home court. And the Tritons looked excited to be there. First, on Friday, when they swept No. 21-ranked Rockhurst, and then again on Saturday, when they blew away William Jewell.
The first set began tight, as both teams played well at the start to each grab early leads, although neither team led by more than a point. That was until UMSL went on a 6-1 run midway through to go up 13-8.
William Jewell won four of the next six points to pull to within 15-12, but the Tritons went on two brilliant runs to close out the set.
First, UMSL outscored WJC 5-1 to go up 20-13. Then after the teams traded points, the Tritons closed the set with a 4-2 run to put the Cardinals away at 25-17.
In the second set, UMSL never trailed and this time, used three different runs to pull away.
First, the Tritons used a 7-1 run to go up 12-6. Then after William Jewell won two straight points to get closer, UMSL won four straight points to go ahead 16-8. William Jewell then won a point to end the run, but UMSL won the next four to just about clinch the set at 20-9.
The visiting Cardinals went on their best spurt of the day to make the score more respectable, but the Tritons eventually won set No. 2, 25-17.
The third set was similar to the second, as UMSL never trailed and used big runs to grab the lead and maintain it. The only difference was this time the Tritons didn’t let William Jewell find any rhythm, as they cruised to a 25-11 match-clinching win.
Senior outside hitter Charlotte Richards led the Tritons with a match-high 19 kills. She also had 11 digs, after being honored before the match for becoming one of just eight UMSL players to ever surpass 1,000 kills in their career.
“It is a huge honor,” Richards said, in a statement released by the UMSL Athletics program. “It is something I wouldn’t have been able to do without the help of my team. Just having their support and them pushing me in practice.”
Teammates Megan Woll and Kaileen Herman were also honored. Woll, for becoming UMSL’s all-time career digs leader, and Herman, for passing 2,000 career assists.
With the six straight wins, UMSL raised its overall season record to 9-3. The Tritons are also 4-0 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play, which has them tied with crosstown rival Lindenwood University, which is 2-0, for first place in the GLVC Central Division.
UMSL will be back on the road when it returns to action this coming weekend. The Tritons will play at McKendree on Friday, October 1, and at Southern Indiana on Saturday, October 2.
“We are doing pretty well, but we are still going to go back in the gym Monday and work hard and focus on the things we want to accomplish this season,” Richards said. “We have some high goals. We are going to prepare for McKendree and Southern Indiana.”
UMSL’s next home match will be Tuesday, October 5, when the Tritons will host Missouri S&T at the Mark Twain Building. First serve that night is scheduled for 7 p.m.
| UMSL Tritons Women’s Volleyball Upcoming Schedule |
| Fri., October 1 — at McKendree — 7 pm |
| Sat., October 2 — at Southern Indiana — 3 pm |
| Tue., October 5 — vs. Missouri S&T — 7 pm |
| Fri., October 8 — at Truman State — 7 pm |
| Sat., October 9 — at Maryville — 3 pm |
| Fri., October 15 — Midwest Crossover Tournament in Terre Haute, Ind. — TBA |
| Sat., October 16 — Midwest Crossover Tournament in Terre Haute, Ind. — TBA |
| Fri., October 22 — at Drury — 7 pm |
| Sat., October 23 — at Southwest Baptist — 3 pm |
| Fri., October 29 — vs. Lindenwood — 7 pm |
| All UMSL home volleyball matches will be played at the Mark Twain Building. |