UMSL senior Charlotte Richards had 19 kills in the Tritons’ three-set sweep over Truman State, Friday night. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

Team123
Truman State (0-11, 0-3)141026
 UMSL (9-4, 2-1)252528

Torrance Terrell
Staff Writer

ST. LOUIS, MO — The University of Missouri-St. Louis volleyball team swept past Truman State in its return to the Mark Twain Building on Friday evening. The Tritons improved to 9-4 overall and 2-1 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, while the Bulldogs dropped to 0-11 overall and 0-3 in conference play.

UMSL held a 13-12 lead midway through the opening set before pulling away thanks to a 12-2 to take the frame 25-14. Trysta Foster served five straight points in one stretch and had a pair of service aces in the set deciding run. The Tritons hit only .190 in the stanza but held Truman to a zero hitting percentage.

The middle frame belonged to UMSL as it raced out to a 5-1 lead and never let the Bulldogs get closer than three points on its way to the 25-10 set win. Charlotte Richards had seven kills in the stanza while Karli Dean added five off the bench and Lexie Rang had three.

Truman wasn’t going to go quietly however as they scored the first three points in the third frame and led by as many as three. The Tritons battled back to take a 16-12 lead after a kill from Lauren Minick.

The Bulldogs kept clawing back and had to two chances to extend the match at 24-23 and 25-24 but were unable to close it out. UMSL took a 27-26 lead on a kill by Rang and then Foster ended the match with her third ace of the contest for the 28-26 win.

The Tritons finished the match hitting .256 with 46 kills against 15 errors in 121 chances. Richards led the way for UMSL with a match-high 19 kills and was joined in double figures by Rang with 15 kills. Caitlin Bishop had 31 assists while Kylie Adams had 14 digs.

Truman hit .134 in the contest with 29 kills against 16 errors in 97 chances. Jessica Proszenyak and Hanna Berry had eight kills apiece to lead the Bulldogs. Emma Baierl had 20 assists while Proszenyak and Annabelle Crowder had 12 digs apiece.

The Tritons will conclude their brief two-game homestand on Saturday, with a match against William Jewell. First serve for that contest is scheduled for 3 p.m.

2022 UMSL Tritons Upcoming Volleyball Schedule
Sat., September 24 — vs. William Jewell — 3 pm
Fri., September 30 — at Rockhurst — 6 pm
Sat., October 1 — at Southwest Baptist — 3 pm
Fri., October 7 — vs. Drury — 6 pm
Sat., October 8 — vs. Missouri S&T — 3 pm
Fri., October 14 — at Midwest Region Volleyball Crossover — TBA
Sat., October 15 — at Midwest Region Volleyball Crossover — TBA
All UMSL home volleyball matches will be played at the Mark Twain Building.