Griffins Sweep MacMurray For Its First SLIAC Win On The Year

Photo credit: Brendon Schwartze

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The Fontbonne University women's volleyball team had its home opener on Tuesday night and they treated its fans to a straight set sweep (25-21, 25-22, 25-21) over MacMurray.

The Griffins (2-6; 1-3 SLIAC), finished with 41 kills, a .164 hitting percentage and 59 digs which is its highest in a three set match since the season opener where they posted 64.

Individually, Olivia Tallo played well on both sides of the net, tying her season-high in kills with 11 and posting a season-high 15 digs. Megan McKenzie and Kristina Eason both contributed nine kills each. Abby Grumich record 12 assists, while Megan Schaller recorded a double-double of 12 assists and 14 digs.

MacMurray (0-7; 1-3 SLIAC), meanwhile, totaled 30 kills and a .135 hitting percentage. Leading the charge was Oliva Wall's game-high 16 kills and 14 dig performance. Janelle Benson dished out 24 assists, while Alexis Moore edged teammate Wall with a team-high 15 digs.

In the first set, Fontbonne opened up with a 13-7 lead after consecutive service aces from Tallo. The team extended its lead to 15-9, but the Highlanders went on a 7-1 run to tie the game at 16-16 after Wall's kill. MacMurray went on to take the lead on the ensuing play and that forced FBU to take a timeout.

Out of the break, FBU trailed 19-18, but two straight kills from Tallo gave them the lead right back at 20-19. It was all Fontbonne from there as they held on for the 25-21 win, capped off by a Highlanders attack error.

In the second set, it was more of the same story with Fontbonne taking a 9-6 lead on Grumich's kill. They expanded that lead out to 14-9, but back came the Highlanders, going on a 5-0 run to tie it at 14-14.

Later, MacMurray edged out in the lead at 20-18, however, the Griffins erased that deficit with a 3-0 run to take a 22-20 lead on Grumich's kill. The team fended off MacMurray the rest of the way taking the set, 25-22, and owning a two sets to none lead.

The tables turned in the third with MacMurray needing to win in order to stay alive. The Highlanders stormed out to a 9-3 lead on Wall's kill.

Fontbonne got right back in it with them going on to tie it at 11-11 on Emma Seiz's kill. The two teams met-up at 14-all, but a 3-0 run by FBU gave them some breathing room at 17-14 on Curtice's kill. They went on to own a 22-17 lead and put away the Highlanders with the 25-21 set and match win.

FBU saved its best set for last with them breaking out for a game-high 17 kills and .310 hitting percentage.

The team looks to build off this win and carry it over to this weekend's quad match held at FBU on Saturday. The Griffins will take on Eureka at 11 a.m., followed by a 1 p.m., clash against Westminster.

Fans make sure to stay updated on fontbonnegriffins.com throughout the year for full updates and recaps on the women's volleyball team.