SMC Volleyball Begins NAIA Era

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Spartanburg Methodist College volleyball team began the NAIA era of competition with three matches on its first day of action at the Viper Sports Academy Classic hosted by Keiser University on Friday.

Spartanburg Methodist (0-3), who is making the transition from NJCAA Division I to NAIA in 2024, fell in three sets to St. Francis (IN) – 25-21, 25-21, 25-18; Southeastern (FL) – 25-23, 25-20, 25-23 and Mobile – 25-11, 25-10

A .141 hitting percentage was not enough in the first match as SMC fell in straight sets to St. Francis (IN). Makinnley Smart accounted for a team-best seven kills on her way to a .286 hitting percentage in the loss. Setters Tristan Craine and Brook Noe had 13 and 11 assists, respectively, plus Hana Vucinic had a team-best 11 digs. Kendall Meinders had four blocks – a block solo and three block assists – to go along with three from Leilani Campbell led the frontline in the loss. For the Cougars, they were led by a 11-kill effort from Paige Footkamp, who had a .280 hitting percentage.

The second matchup of the day saw the Pioneers nearly pull off the first win of a set in its young NAIA history with a tightly contested matchup against Southeastern (FL), a team who in 2023 reached the finals of the Sun Conference Tournament.

Brantlie Price had a team-best six kills on 20 attempts to lead the attack for the Pioneers. Both Aurora Aho and Craine - who also had 11 assists - had four service aces as SMC had 12 for the match. Aho and Vucinic had seven and six digs, respectively. Campbell was involved in three blocks for the contest. SEU posted a .296 hitting percentage in the win to go along with Haven Speer, who had a match-best 21 assists. Cambry Pope paced the Fire with 11 kills to go along with 10 digs from Marysa Connors en route to the victory.

The third match of the day saw the Pioneers, who were playing their third match of the day, face a Mobile squad, who had yet to play on the day. Brantlie Price and Aurora Aho each had six kills to lead the attack for SMC, plus Tristan Craine and Brook Noe split the setting duties with nine and eight assists, respectively.

For Mobile, Kendel Lee Frazer and Corrina Porch-Maxey led Mobile each had 13 and 11 kills, respectively and Aspen Adams had seven service aces in the win. Setters Layton Adams and Tatum Beech had 21 and 17 assists, respectively.

Action for the Pioneers at the tournament will conclude on Saturday with an 8 a.m. contest against host Keiser University.