Belles Stumped by Bulldogs
- Meaghan Gibbons led all players with 17 kills.
- McKenzie Todd and Katie Hecklinski each had 13 digs.
- Colleen Kilgallon hit .538 with nine kills.
ADRIAN, Mich. - The Saint Mary's volleyball team lost a 3-0, (25-23, 27-25, 25-21) conference match against Adrian on Wednesday evening.
Meaghan GibbonsThe first set was so tightly played that neither team had more than a three-point lead at any given moment. Trailing 18-17, the Belles got back-to-back points on a service error and a kill by Meaghan Gibbons to claim a 19-18 lead. That advantage, however, was short-lived as the Bulldogs won the next two points to go back up 20-19. After ties at 19-19, 20-20, and 21-21, Adrian made what proved to be a decisive run with three consecutive points to go ahead 24-21. Gibbons put down a kill and served up an ace to put the Belles right back in contention at 24-23, but a kill by the Bulldogs clinched the opener 25-23.
In the second set, the Belles stormed out to a 12-6 lead as the Bulldogs burned through both of their timeouts early. A few points later, a kill by Katie Hecklinski and a block by Rachel Bonek and Colleen Kilgallon helped the Belles maintain a 16-10 lead. Adrian edged within two points, but another push by the Belles made it a 20-15 set as it appeared that Saint Mary's would draw even at a set apiece. The Bulldogs had other things in mind as Adrian made it a 23-23 score after an error and a kill. Another block, this time by Bonek and Leah Buck, gave Saint Mary's the set-point advantage at 24-23. But the Bulldogs stayed alive with a kill before eventually closing out the set with consecutive kills for the 27-25 win.
Adrian broke a 15-15 tie in the third set with three points for an 18-15 lead. Saint Mary's was able to cut the deficit to two points on four occasions down the stretch, the latest of those coming at 23-21. But the Bulldogs continued to have the Belles' number and clinched the straight-set decision with a kill and a block in the 25-21 third set.
Meaghan Gibbons led all players with 17 kills while adding 11 digs. Colleen Kilgallon posted a .538 attack percentage with nine kills. Katie Hecklinski added eight kills and matched team-high honors with 13 digs. McKenzie Todd also tallied 13 digs for the Belles. Clare McMillan had 20 assists, and Alexis Grady chipped in 19 assists on the night.
The Belles (12-10, 5-6 MIAA) have more than a week until their next match as they travel to Kalamazoo on Friday, October 23 for a 6:00 p.m. match against the Hornets.