SMC Volleyball Ends Opening Weekend

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The final match for SMC volleyball at the Viper Sports Academy Classic against Keiser saw the Pioneers fall in three, 25-9, 25-20, 25-14.

Spartanburg Methodist (0-4) was paced by the play of Makinnley Smart with nine kills to lead SMC on her way to a .238 hitting percentage. Tristan Craine had 16 assists and Brantlie Price had a solid all-around match with three kills, six digs and three blocks in the loss.

Keiser (4-0) was led by a 12-kill effort from Mackenzie Pryor to pace the Seahawks. Hannah Heide had pair of aces and 24 assists for the winning efforts. At the net, Katelyn Baxley recorded eight kills and a match-best five block assists.

"I'm so honored and proud of this team for being the first program in SMC history to compete at the NAIA level," said head coach Makayla Holcombe. "To face competition and watch teams from different conferences from all over the nation allowed us to get the feel of what it means to play at this level. The freshman really stepped up and I'm so excited to see how we can build up from here."

The host Seahawks jumped out to a 9-0 lead to begin the match on its way to a 25-9 victory in the first set.

The second set saw SMC comeback and hold the lead until Keiser tied the set at 10 on a Heide kill. Smart put the Pioneers back ahead with a kill for an 11-10 advantage as the two teams went back and forth as the set was tied on two more occasions. After three-straight points by Keiser and a SMC timeout, the Pioneers managed to make it as close as a two-point contest, 19-17, when Leilani Campbell recorded a kill.

The third set saw the Pioneers playing from behind for the entire set. Kendall Meinders and Aurora Aho teamed up for a block to make it a 7-5 margin in the set. Five-straight points by Keiser ended the comeback hopes for the visitors from Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Next, Spartanburg Methodist College will make the trek to face Columbia College on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.