RICHMOND, Va. – The Billikens battled back from a two-set deficit to complete the reverse sweep over VCU on Friday evening at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.
Saint Louis improved to 13-11 overall and 8-5 in Atlantic 10 play with the win.
SET 1 | SLU 22, VCU 25
The Billikens jumped out to an early 7-4 lead before VCU responded with an 8-1 run to take a 12-8 advantage. The Rams extended their lead to 14-9 before Saint Louis began to chip away at the deficit. SLU pulled within two at 20-18 and again at 21-19, but VCU pushed its lead to 24-21. The Billikens fought off one set point before the Rams closed out the opening frame, 25-22.
SET 2 | SLU 17, VCU 25
Saint Louis started the second set strong, taking a 9-6 lead behind kills from
Tea Kalajdzic and
Tamia Maddox. VCU responded with six consecutive points to take a 12-9 advantage. The Rams continued to build their lead, using a 5-0 run to go ahead 20-11. The Billikens were unable to overcome the deficit, falling 25-17 to trail 2-0 in the match.
SET 3 | SLU 25, VCU 19
Facing a two-set deficit, the Billikens found their rhythm in the third. VCU took an early 8-4 lead before Saint Louis battled back with a 5-1 run to tie the set at 9-9. The Rams regained an 11-9 advantage before SLU used a 7-1 run to take a 16-12 lead. The Billikens continued to build momentum, extending their lead to 23-15 before closing out the set 25-19 on a kill from Jansen. Saint Louis hit .351 in the frame with 18 kills.
SET 4 | SLU 25, VCU 20
The Billikens carried their momentum into the fourth set, taking an early 4-2 lead. VCU battled back to tie the score at 5-5, but Saint Louis responded and began to pull away. SLU used a 5-0 run to build a 13-8 advantage and extended its lead to 16-9. The Rams closed the gap to four at 18-14, but the Billikens maintained control down the stretch. Saint Louis held off a late VCU push to take the set 25-20 and force a decisive fifth frame.
SET 5 | SLU 15, VCU 9
The Billikens continued their strong play into the fifth set, jumping out to a 5-2 advantage. VCU battled back with three consecutive points to tie the score at 5-5, but Saint Louis responded to take an 8-6 lead. The Rams pulled within one at 8-7 before SLU used a 4-1 run to extend its advantage to 12-8. The Billikens scored three consecutive points to close out the set 15-9 and complete the reverse sweep.
Notables
- Jetta Brenning recorded her third career triple-double and first of the season with 10 kills, 48 assists and 11 digs. She hit .526 and added two service aces.
- Kayla Jansen posted a career-high 15 kills, hitting .565. She also led the Billikens with five blocks, including two solo blocks.
- Tea Kalajdzic led Saint Louis with 19 kills while hitting .316.
- Tamia Maddox added 12 kills and six digs while hitting .333.
- Lara Zigic led the Billikens defensively with 22 digs.
Up Next
The Billikens will face the Rams again Saturday at 1 p.m. Central.
