Belles Downed by Thunder in Conference Opener

Box Score

ANGOLA, Ind. - The Saint Mary's volleyball team dropped a tough 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-18) match to open their conference play at Trine on Tuesday night.

After Trine jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead in the opening set, the Belles battled back to within 6-4 of the Thunder. The hosts regained a larger lead only to see Saint Mary's scrap back to within a single point at 14-13. A six-point run by the Thunder at that junction in the set proved to be too big of a margin to overcome as Trine took the opening set. The second set mirrored the first in that Trine took an early lead that Saint Mary's would be unable to overcome. In the third set, the teams had a handful of ties early in the set with the latest coming at 7-7 on an ace by the Belles. Trine, however, used a couple short runs to distance themselves on their way to the straight set decision.

Kati Schneider shared match-high honors on the night as the sophomore tallied nine kills for the Belles. Melanie Kuczek chipped in six kills in the match. Katie Hecklinski led the team with nine digs, and Danie Brink added 17 assists for the Belles.

Saint Mary's (4-1, 0-1 MIAA) will look to bounce back as they take to the road on Saturday for an MIAA contest at Albion beginning at 11:00 a.m.

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