Spring Arbor’s Bollenbacher Eclipses 1,000 kills

Spring Arbor’s Bollenbacher Eclipses 1,000 kills
October 26, 2024

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Spring Arbor University junior Kendall Bollenbacher became the newest member of the program's 1,000 kill club in the Cougars' match against the University of Saint Francis on Saturday. 

Bollenbacher entered the contest needing only two kills to reach the milestone, but finished with a team-high 10.

Spring Arbor would ultimately fall to Saint Francis 3-1.

 

THE BASICS

SCORE: Spring Arbor 1, Saint Francis 3 (15-25, 25-19, 19-25, 22-25

LOCATION: Fort Wayne, Ind.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 11-13 (5-10 CL), Saint Francis 10-17 (3-12 CL)

  

MATCH NOTES

  • Back in September, the two squads faced off with Spring Arbor dominating in a three-set win. On Saturday, however, Saint Francis took control early with a 4-1 lead in the first set and never looked back.
  • Set two saw the two squads go back and forth early before Spring Arbor pulled away, building a 19-12 lead, and staving off a late USF rally to take the set 25-19. Isabelle Kirkendall led the offensive attack in the set with four kills.
  • In set three, Spring Arbor was unable to keep its momentum. Saint Francis used a 4-0 run to take an 11-7 advantage and maintained the lead the rest of the way.
  • Set four was tight throughout, with SAU fighting for their lives, and Saint Francis looking to seal a huge victory. The game was tied as late as 13-13, before a 5-0 USF run gave them a lead they would not relinquish.
  • Despite the loss, Kendall Bollenbacher continued her stellar play, leading the team with 10 kills, and recording her 1,000th career kill in the first set.
  • Other offensive contributors included Isabelle Kirkendall with seven kills, Kelsie Lilly with six, and Julia Mitchell and Natasha Bickel with five apiece.
  • Gabby Bryja had a big game from the setter spot, recording a double-double with 19 assists and 12 digs. Camy Wedge also played well, with 13 assists and eight digs, as well as four kills.
  • Defensively, Kirstyn Throop led the back row with 14 digs while Sheridan Young added eight digs and two aces. Up front, Keely Hinzman and Bickel led the way with five blocks each while Mitchell added four.

 

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor will return home to the American 1 Credit Union Arena to take on Bethel University on Wednesday, Oct. 30. First serve is set for 7 p.m.