Gainesville, FL - The Santa Fe Saints recently played host to the Indian River State College Pioneers in a highly anticipated conference matchup. Leading up to this event, the Saints were seeking redemption following a 0-3 home loss to the Hillsborough Community College Hawks earlier in the week. Similarly, the Pioneers were aiming to bounce back from their 1-3 home loss to Eastern Florida State College on Wednesday night.

In a stellar display of skill and determination, the Saints emerged victorious against the Pioneers, securing the win in three compelling sets. The sets concluded with scores of 25-16, 25-22, and 25-23.

Set 1: The Saints came out strong in the first set, taking a commanding 7-1 lead over the Pioneers in the first eight points. Nani Ba's exceptional serves and Aliyah Nields' outstanding kills led the initial surge of points. The Pioneers called their first timeout at 9-2. Albany Blanco slammed home a kill, extending the Saints' lead to 10-3. Bailee Kumm added a service ace, bringing the score to 11-4. The Saints continued their hot start with a successful block by Blanco. Blanco followed with two more service aces, pushing the Saints' lead to 15-5. Nani Ba added another service ace, bringing the score to 18-7. The Pioneers showed resilience, narrowing the gap to 18-10, but a kill by Nields halted their momentum, making it 19-10. The Pioneers fought back, closing the gap to 20-14. However, a game-winning kill by Maria Contreras helped the Saints close out the set 25-16.

Set 2: The Saints maintained their momentum into the second set, with Aliyah Nields securing a kill for the opening point. They displayed great energy, starting the set with a 5-1 lead. Nields delivered a thunderous kill, bringing the score to 8-4. The Pioneers staged a comeback, tying the game at 8-8. The sudden shift in momentum prompted the Saints to call their first timeout at 8-8. The Pioneers took their first lead of the day at 9-8. The teams battled fiercely, resulting in an 11-11 tie. Blanco secured another kill, pushing the score to 14-12 as the Saints aimed to pull away. Nields added another kill, extending the lead to 18-14 and forcing the Pioneers to call their first timeout of the set. The Pioneers regrouped, narrowing the gap to 18-17. The Saints responded with a three-point run, making it 21-17 and forcing the Pioneers to use their second and final timeout. Larissa Seger-Griebeler delivered a service ace right after the timeout, making it 22-17. The Pioneers made a late push, bringing the score to 22-21. The Saints called their second and final timeout, hoping to create a strategy to close out the set. The Saints scored the first two points after the timeout, making it 24-21 and reaching match point. The Pioneers managed one more point, but it wasn't enough as the Saints closed the set 25-22.

Set 3: The Saints began the third set positively, securing the first point for the third set in a row. The teams went toe-to-toe for the first 12 points, resulting in a 6-6 tie. The Pioneers took a slight lead at 7-6, but a booming kill by Seger-Griebeler tied the score at 7-7. The Pioneers then scored the next two points, establishing a multi-point lead at 9-7. Despite the Pioneers' pressure, Blanco slammed home a kill, bringing the score to 18-13. The Pioneers maintained a five-point lead at 18-13, striving to stay in the game and prevent a Santa Fe sweep. Seger-Griebeler delivered a powerful service ace, bringing the Saints back within three points and forcing the Pioneers to call their first timeout of the set at 19-16. The Saints refused to back down, narrowing the gap to two points at 21-19. A couple of Pioneer spikes that went long tied the set, compelling the Pioneers to call their second and final timeout at 21-21. Despite the Pioneers' control for most of the set, the Saints' late momentum shift brought them within reach. Tamin Trott, making her first appearance after recovering from an injury, slammed home a kill, making it 22-22. The Pioneers fought hard, but the late momentum swing proved too much as Seger-Griebeler delivered the final kill, ending the set with a score of 25-23.

As the 2023 season approaches its conclusion, the Santa Fe Saints are gearing up for their last home game, a pivotal Citrus Conference matchup against the Miami Dade College Sharks. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, the 24th, at 5:00 PM. Looking to leave a lasting impression on their home turf, the Saints are determined to make this final home match of the season a memorable one. The Sharks, fresh from a hard-fought 2-3 loss to Daytona State College, will undoubtedly bring their A-game, setting the stage for an exhilarating match.