The UMSL Tritons women’s volleyball team solidified its hold on first place in the GLVC Central Division with a three sets to none victory over Missouri S&T, Tuesday night in St. Louis. (Photo: Nathan Assata)

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MISSOURI S&T (11-4, 5-2)2212130
UMSL (11-4, 6-1)2525253

by DeMarcus Dixon
Staff Writer

The last several weeks have been quite a ride for the University of Missouri-St. Louis women’s volleyball team.

First, the Tritons played almost nothing but road matches in September, with 12 total matches and 10 of them on the road. Then after a slow start, UMSL reeled off seven wins in a row and were playing like one of the top team in the country.

That streak ended with a tense five-set loss to Great Lakes Valley Conference rival Southern Indiana this past Saturday. But Tuesday night, the GLVC Central Division-leading Tritons solidified their place as perhaps the best team in the GLVC this year, with a three-set sweep over West Division-leading Missouri S&T.

UMSL took control of the match right from the start, as it used a 4-0 run midway through the first set to go ahead 10-8. The teams traded points throughout the rest of the frame, with S&T pulling as close as 23-22. But the Tritons took the last two points to claim the the set 25-22.

Fromt that point on, the Tritons dominated the rest of the match. UMSL began the second set by winning five of the first six points. Then after trading points, the Tritons won 10 of the next 12 to go ahead 14-5.

But UMSL wasn’t done yet. Later in the set, it won six of seven points to close out the frame with a 25-12 edge.

The third set began similar to the second, as UMSL jumped out to a quick lead. But the difference came midway through, when the Tritons won 13 of 16 points to go ahead 19-10.

Then after S&T won a point to stop the run, UMSL went on another one and closed out the match by winning six of the final eight points to claim the final set 25-13.

Senior outside hitter and reigning GLVC Player of the Year, Charlotte Richards, was once again a key factor in the Tritons’ win. She led all hitters with 16 kills and added 10 digs to pace her club.

Teammate Kaileen Herman had 29 assists and Megan Woll had 13 digs — both numbers were the most of any player in the match. Another key stat was UMSL was able to hold S&T, the conference leaders in total blocks, to just two, even though the Miners were averaging nearly nine blocks per match.

“Yeah, we were really nervous coming into this game,” Woll said. “We have always put up a good fight against this team. We really wanted to come in and beat them on our home court. When you play a good team, it’s important to come out from the first point. Coming out in the beginning — it’s very important — because it sets the tone for the rest of the match. “

With the win, UMSL raised its overall record to 11-4 and its conference mark to 6-1. S&T fell to 11-5 overall and 5-2 in league play.

After a couple of days off, the Tritons will be back in action this weekend, when they’ll play road games at Truman State and at Maryville. UMSL’s next home match will be Friday, October 29, when it will host second-place Lindenwood.

UMSL Tritons Women’s Volleyball Upcoming Schedule
Fri., October 8 — at Truman State — 7 pm
Sat., October 9 — at Maryville — 3 pm
Fri., October 15 — Midwest Crossover Tournament in Hammond, Ind. — TBA
Sat., October 16 — Midwest Crossover Tournament in Hammond, 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.