SEWANEE, Tenn. – Spalding played the pay-back card Friday evening and dealt a 3-1 decision to Maryville on Day 1 of the Sewanee Invitational.
Maryville defeated the Golden Eagles 3-0 last year on opening weekend in Cooper Athletic Center, but this time it was Spalding that took the initiative. The Scots dropped the first two sets 25-16 and 25-21 before rallying to take Set 3 by a 26-24 count.
MC trailed 24-21 before scoring the final five points to stay alive.
Reese Bailey delivered two service aces to spark the comeback, part of a solid showing for the senior.
But that is where the comeback stalled, and the Golden Eagles closed out the match 25-18 in the fourth. Maryville led 6-4 early, but a 6-0 Spalding run for 16-11 and another 4-0 run that made it 20-14 Golden Eagles put the Scots on the edge. Spalding then finished it off by scoring the final four points.
Bailey joined
Cailin Mastropasqua as the team kills leader with 10. Bailey attacked at a .368 clip to raise her season average to .313. She also contributed all six Maryville service aces and now has 17 for the season. Not only does that lead the team but it is one off her career-high of 18 set last year.
Ashley Hilbelink saw her first action after being slowed last weekend by injury. She led the team with 19 digs and Mastropasqua added 12.
Dakota Vaiese and
Megan Fairburn did the assist work up front with 17 and 13, respectively.
The Scots are back at it Saturday at noon Central time against St. Joseph's of Maine. The Monks lost 3-0 on Friday to the host Sewanee Tigers and are 1-4 for the season. Maryville and Spalding are both 1-4 after Friday's result.
