ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Last year, The W volleyball did not get its first (and only) St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) win until the final day of the season. Unlike 2024, the 2025 Owls (3-7, 1-1 SLIAC) got SLIAC win No. 1 on the first day of conference competition on Saturday.
 
But, like last year, that win came versus Blackburn College (4-7, 0-1 SLIAC) 3-1, by set scores of 23-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-23. MUW also lost a hard-fought battle to tri-match host Webster University (3-7, 1-0 SLIAC), 3-1, by set scores of 25-16, 26-24, 22-25, 25-22.
 
In its opener versus Webster, the Owls dropped the first set, but looked like they were on the verge of winning the second with a 24-22 lead. Unfortunately for The W, the Gorloks reeled off the final four points for the set win.
 
MUW grabbed the third set with a strong finish. Tied at 22-22, the Owls tall9ed three-straight points, thanks to kills by Skye Letson and Megan Neeb, sandwiching a service ace by Bailee Schmitt. WU was able to hold off The W in the fourth set to take the match.
 
In its second match against Blackburn, MUW was ambushed in the opening set. But the resilient Owls would take the final three in convincing fashion. Ahead 6-0 to start set 2, The W never looked back, including notching the final five points of the match.
 
In pivotal set 3, MUW fell behind 16-12, before another Letson kill got the side out. With the Owls down 16-13, Madyson McBrayer served up nine consecutive winners to put her team on top for good, 21-16. In the fourth and final set, the Beavers and Owls were deadlocked at 23-23. But two BC attack errors would put the win in The W's column.
 
For the two matches – and eight total sets – Neeb amassed a total of 30 kills and 19 digs. Teammates McBrayer and Letson also surpassed 20 kills each, with 27 and 21 kills, respectively. McBrayer chipped in 15 digs and Letson made four blocks.
 
Setter Kinsley Kennedy gave off a total of 82 assists (10.1 assists per set). Kennedy also helped defensively with 32 digs and served up four aces.
 
Libero Brooklyn Comfort led all backrow players with 41 digs for the day.
 
The W will next play at Fulton, Missouri, versus Westminster College on Friday (September 26/6 p.m.).