Belles Topped by Fourth-Ranked Knights

Box Score

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Saint Mary's volleyball team lost 3-0, (25-21, 25-12, 25-11) at AVCA No. 4 ranked Calvin on Friday night.

The Belles and Knights played point for point in the opening set of the night. With five ties and three lead changes, the advantage by either team was never more than four points. The Belles made a big shift in the momentum with back-to-back blocks and a service ace by Lexi Grady to take a 9-8 lead and force the Knights into taking a timeout.

Saint Mary's was able to counter any run Calvin went on and limit the Knights' scoring spurts to three points or less. Following a timeout by the Belles late in the set, Kati Schneider came up with a kill to give Saint Mary's some energy and make it a 21-20 score in favor of the Knights. Calvin, however, tallied a kill and a pair of blocks to pull ahead 24-20 before taking the set 25-21.

In the second set, the Knights jumped out to a 9-3 lead and never looked back as Calvin held at least a six-point advantage for the remainder of the set. The third set had a similar start as the hosts spotted themselves an early 9-4 edge in the scoring column and led the Belles by at least five points before claiming the three-set victory.

Kati Schneider led the Belles with seven kills. Katie Hecklinski registered 10 digs on the night, and Clare McMillan added nine digs and 12 assists. Melanie Kuczek tallied three blocks for Saint Mary's.

The Belles (12-11, 6-7 MIAA) have a quick turnaround and will play at Kalamazoo tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

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