Volleyball kicked off the first sporting event of homecoming weekend tonight as they hosted St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Spalding University.  The Beavers were looking to take advantage of a struggling Golden Eagle squad that entered the evening with a 4-10 record.  Blackburn was also hoping to earn their first victory of the season as well.

The opening set was neck and neck early on.  But Spalding blew things wide open after a streak of six straight service points to pull ahead 10-3.  Blackburn could not rebound from that deficit and dropped the first set 25-13.

Spalding continued their momentum into the second set.  Blackburn fell behind early 5-0 and was forced to play catch-up from that point.  Marlee Lindstrom attempted to bring the Beavers back when she took over to rattle off four straight service points.  However it was not enough, and Spalding took set one 25-17.

Facing the sweep, Blackburn came into set number three keeping pace with Spalding early.  Yet with the score at 7-5, Spalding caught fire and went on another run.  Six straight service points later, Blackburn found themselves facing another large deficit late.  However the Beavers would not roll over and tried to chip back into the match.    But it was too little too late, and Spalding took set three and the match 25-14.

Emily Schroeder was active above the net tonight as she led the Beavers with eight kills, Marlee Lindstrom added ten digs as well.

Blackburn is now 0-15 and will have two opportunities tomorrow to find their first win.  At 10:00 am they will take on Greenville College, followed by a match with Webster University at 2:00 pm.