KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College volleyball team won its MIAA opener in five sets over Saint Mary's College Tuesday night, 25-22, 25-23, 25-27, 23-25, 15-12.
After leading 18-17 in the first, Kalamazoo scored four straight points and seven of the last 12 to win 25-22.
After an 18-18 tie in the second, Kalamazoo scored five straight to go up 23-18. Saint Mary's scored five out of the next six before Kalamazoo scored to win 25-23.
Kalamazoo trailed early in the third but rallied to tie and eventually take a 21-19 lead. Kalamazoo fought off two set points before eventually falling 27-25.
Kalamazoo led 17-13 in the fourth and 23-22 late before Saint Mary's scored the final three points to force a fifth set.
Saint Mary's grabbed a 4-1 lead early in the fifth before Kalamazoo tied it at 4-4. Saint Mary's led by two multiple times, including 11-9, before Kalamazoo pulled ahead 12-11. A Belles' point made it 12-12 before the Hornets scored three straight to win the set (15-12) and the match.
Each team hit .057 in the match. The Hornets held a slight edge in service aces (9-7) and team blocks (13-11).
Taylor Stephens led the Hornets with 16 kills and a .344 hitting percentage. Savannah Chapie added 10 kills and six block assists.
Halley Johnson had eight kills with 12 digs. Toni Koshmider finished with seven kills and six block assists.
Sara Reathaford led the Hornets with 19 assists and 16 digs. Rorie Dougherty finished with 11 assists and 13 digs. Lizzy Rachiele had nine assists and 12 digs.
Rachel Meston tallied 14 digs with a team-high three service aces.
Kalamazoo returns to action at Hope College on Friday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m.