Sterling splits in triangular against Saint Mary, Haskell

STERLING, Kan. -- Sterling College split in a trianular against Saint Mary and Haskell on Saturday, Oct. 25. The Lady Warriors started with a loss to the University of Saint Mary in four sets, 19-25, 18-25, 25-20, 15-25. Despite the loss, Sterling College recorded 14 total blocks, demonstrating strong defensive efforts at the net. The University of Saint Mary capitalized on their service game, tallying 12 aces to secure the victory.

Sterling College opened the first set with an early lead, capitalizing on a service error from University of Saint Mary and an attack error by Makenza Holly. The visitors, however, quickly responded and built momentum with a service ace and a series of kills, taking a 7-4 lead.

The Lady Warriors managed to regain some ground, with Maddie Lundeen and Aliya McClanahan contributing key blocks that narrowed the gap to 16-13. Despite this effort, Saint Mary extended their advantage with consistent offensive plays, including kills from Saige Hadley.

As the set progressed, Sterling College continued to challenge with blocks from Lundeen and McClanahan, but Saint Mary maintained control. The set concluded with a kill from Hadley, giving the visitors a 25-19 set win.

The second set began with a strong performance from Sterling, highlighted by a service ace from Grace Battershell, which helped the team level the score at 5-5. Aliya McClanahan contributed with a kill, leading to a three-point run that placed Sterling ahead 8-5. However, USM responded with a series of successful plays, including back-to-back kills from Saige Hadley, to regain a narrow advantage.

As the set progressed, Sterling faced challenges in maintaining momentum. Despite Chloe Schmidt's efforts with multiple kills, the Spires capitalized on Sterling's errors and extended their lead. The set concluded with USM securing a 25-18 victory, closing the set with a kill by Chloe Byrd.

Sterling College started the third set with momentum, securing an early advantage through strong plays from Lundeen and McClanahan. A crucial block by Schmidt and Keala Wilson helped Sterling build a 9-5 lead. Saint Mary responded, narrowing the margin to 12-8, but Sterling maintained composure with effective attacks from McClanahan.

Midway through the set, Sterling extended their lead again to 17-9, with McClanahan and Wilson contributing key points. Despite a series of points from Saint Mary that cut the deficit to 19-17, Sterling maintained their advantage with kills by Schmidt and Caitlyn Belote.

Sterling closed the set decisively, with McClanahan's final kill and a block by Abi Howard and McClanahan sealing a 25-20 win.

The fourth set began with Sterling College seeking to regain momentum after an early 4-1 deficit. McClanahan secured points with timely kills, supported by Wilson's assists, keeping Sterling within reach at 7-5. Despite this, the Spires extended their lead to 11-7, capitalizing on Sterling's attack errors.

Sterling responded with Schmidt and Belote contributing to a brief rally, narrowing the gap to 15-11. However, Saint Mary maintained their advantage through consistent scoring and service aces, concluding the set with a 25-15 victory.

Schmidt came away with 11 kills on 29 attempts, achieving a hitting percentage of .310 and adding one ace. McClanahan contributed both offensively and defensively, registering 12 kills with a .250 hitting percentage and leading with 10 total blocks. Wilson recorded 16 assists and 21 digs, demonstrating her versatility on the court. Battershell provided support with 15 assists and two service aces, while also collecting 11 digs.

The Lady Warriors bounced back quickly, sweeping Haskell Indian Nation Univeristy, 25-12, 25-16, 27-25. Sterling College delivered a strong performance with 41 kills and 16 block assists, securing a decisive victory. Haskell University struggled with a .063 hitting percentage and committed 23 attack errors. Sterling's defense was notable with 70 digs, limiting Haskell's scoring opportunities throughout the match.

Sterling College opened the first set with momentum, capitalizing on an early kill by Lundeen assisted by Wilson. Despite an initial tie, Sterling steadily pulled ahead, aided by attack errors from Haskell Indian Nation University and effective kills by Battershell and McClanahan. The team extended their lead to 5-1 with consistent play.

Midway through the set, Sterling continued to command the court, with Schmidt and Herd contributing crucial points. A series of attack errors by HINU further widened the margin, pushing Sterling's advantage to 13-5. Following a timeout by Haskell, Sterling maintained pressure, highlighted by a block by Herd and Schmidt.

The set concluded with Sterling firmly in control, as McClanahan secured the final two points with kills, assisted by Wilson. The Lady Warriors closed the first set with a decisive 25-12 victory over the Fighting Indians, establishing a strong start to the match.

The second set began with a tight exchange, as Sterling College managed to keep pace with early points from McClanahan. Despite Haskell pulling ahead 6-3, Sterling College responded with a critical block by McClanahan and Wilson, initiating a shift in momentum.

Midway through the set, Sterling College capitalized on a series of opponent errors and decisive kills from Herd and Wilson, mounting a 7-0 run to seize control at 17-13. Haskell called two timeouts to halt the momentum, but Sterling continued to extend their lead with contributions from multiple players.

The Lady Warriors closed out the set confidently, widening the margin with a service ace and a final kill by Anasteisha Gartman, concluding the set 25-16.

Sterling College opened the third set with a strong start, quickly gaining a 3-0 lead through effective plays from Schmidt and Lundeen. A collective defensive effort, highlighted by blocks from Wilson and McClanahan, helped extend the advantage to 11-5. Haskell called a timeout to regroup.

Despite the Fighting Indians' attempt to close the gap, Sterling maintained their momentum, with key contributions from Howard and Kaira Rodriguez. However, Haskell managed to narrow the margin, tying the score at 14-14. The teams exchanged points in a tense sequence, with Sterling eventually pulling ahead 19-18 after a series of errors by Haskell.

In a closely contested finish, Sterling College capitalized on a service ace by Schmidt, and effective blocking by McClanahan, to edge out Haskell. Sterling concluded the set with a 27-25 victory, maintaining their composure under pressure to secure the win.

McClanahan led the team with 12 kills on 25 attempts, achieving a hitting percentage of .440 and contributing five total blocks. Wilson recorded 18 assists and added 13 digs, finishing with three block assists in the match. Taylor "Dru" Lindsey, serving as libero, delivered a strong defensive performance with 14 digs and two assists.

With the win, the Lady Warriors move to 15-9 overall, 4-6 in conference play. Sterling's next game will be in Ottawa, Kan. as the take on the Braves (8-11, 5-4) on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. followed by a match up against Kansas Christian College in Overland Park, Kan. at 7 p.m.