DUBUQUE, Iowa - On the last day of the Loras Invitational, the Spartans had two more home games. The Spartans lost their first match of the day against St. Olaf and then regrouped for a sweep over Saint Mary's.

In the opening set, both teams were evenly matched as there were eight ties and four lead changes. Halfway through the set, the Spartans trailed 16-11 but rallied to take a 24-20 lead. The Spartans were unable to secure the match point as St. Olaf ended the game on a 6-0 run to take the first set. Once again, the second set was a back and forth match. Neither team could separate from each other as the score was knotted at 17 a piece. On the ensuing possession St. Olaf went on a 8-0 run to close out the second set 25-17. The Spartans would capture the third set with a 25-20 win. Alexis Bedier and Emma Powell had three kills each while Payton Uptagraft had three of her seven blocks in the third set. St. Olaf responded taking the match in the fourth set as the Spartans lost 25-17.

The Spartans swept their second match of the afternoon against the Cardinals of Saint Mary's. Early on the Spartans trailed 8-1 forcing a quick timeout. Out of the break the Spartans rallied tying the game at 20-20. Back-to-back kills by Taylor Sperfslage and Powell helped complete the comeback win 25-20. Powell, Sperfslage, and Uptagraft combined for 14 of 16 kills in the opening set. The Spartans controlled the second set as they won 25-18. Freshman, Caitlin Jensen provided a spark off the bench with three kills on four attempts. To close out the match and secure their ninth win, the Spartans won the third set by a score of 25-18 again. 

Offensively, the Spartans finished with 47 kills with an attacking percentage of 33%. Powell led the charge with 19 kills followed by Uptagraft with 10 and Sperfslage with eight. Setter, Alexis Kammerer recorded 37 of the team's 43 assists. 

The University of Dubuque named sophomore middle hitter, Payton Uptagaft to the All-Tournament Team for her performance this weekend. Through four matches, Uptagraft posted 30 kills and a total of 16 blocks, (eight solos and eight block assists). 

All-Tournament Team:
Gracie Daniels – Central
Grace Lueken – Coe
Payton Uptagraft – Dubuque
Lauren Klaith – Gustavus Adolphus 
Autumn Finch – Loras
Layne Wright – Monmouth 
Ciarra McNally – Saint Mary's (Minn.)
Maren Miller – St. Olaf
Natalie Yackley – St. Scholastica
Malena Bixby – Westminster

Up Next
The Spartans will have the week off before playing on Saturday, September 23 at Lake Forest College. Their first game will be against Dominican at 1:00 p.m. followed by the host Lake Forest College at 3:00 p.m.