UMSL senior Charlotte Richards had a match-high 14 kills in the Tritons’ three-set sweep over No. 21 Rockhurst, Friday night at the Mark Twain Building. (Photo: Nathan Assata)
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROCKHURSTÂ (7-4) | 20 | 24 | 20 | 0 |
| UMSLÂ (8-3) | 25 | 26 | 25 | 3 |
by DeMarcus Dixon
Staff Writer
ST. LOUIS — Hosting its first home match of the season, the University of Missouri-St. Louis women’s volleyball team delivered perhaps its best performance of the season Friday night.
The Tritons blasted No. 21-ranked Rockhurst in a three-set sweep in a Great Lakes Valley Conference contest at the Mark Twain Building.
UMSL, which has now won five matches in a row and has only had one match all season go past four sets, controlled the action almost from the start.
Senior outside hitter Charlotte Richards was a key factor in that. She had a game-high 14 kills, including five in the first set, as UMSL won the opening frame 25-20.
In the second set, Richards helped UMSL grab an early lead again, and the Tritons built that lead to 20-16, before Rockhurst went on a 6-0 run to take a 22-20 lead. The teams traded points on the next several plays, which gave the Hawks a double-set point at 24-22.
But once again, the Tritons rallied and scored the final four points of the set to claim the frame at 26-24.
In the third set, UMSL pulled ahead midway through and held on for a 25-20 win.
Along with her 14 kills, Richards also had 11 digs and two blocks to lead the Tritons. Teammates Megan Woll and Kaileen Herman also had big nights.
Woll, the GLVC’s back-to-back Defensive Player of the Week, had a match-high 21 digs, and Herman, who was just spectacular for the Tritons, had a match-high 34 assists.
UMSL, which now has an 8-3 overall record, is also tied for first place in the GLVC standings with a 3-0 league mark. The Tritons hope to continue their winning ways on Saturday, when they’ll host William Jewell. First serve for that match at the Mark Twain Building is scheduled for 3 p.m.
| UMSL Tritons Women’s Volleyball Upcoming Schedule |
| Fri., September 26 — vs. William Jewell — 3 pm |
| 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 |
| All UMSL home volleyball matches will be played at the Mark Twain Building. |