Box Score LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) --- The McPherson College volleyball team rallied from two sets down to force a fifth-and-deciding set on the road against the University of Saint Mary but could not complete the comeback, falling 25-18, 26-24, 15-25, 14-25, 15-11 at the Ryan Sport Center Wednesday night.
The Spires (4-4, 2-0 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) jumped out to an early 9-3 lead in the opening set as the Bulldogs (2-2, 1-1 KCAC) were unable to get their offense on track. USM extended the lead to 18-7, forcing McPherson head coach
Jessica Cleveland to burn her second timeout of the set, but the Bulldogs rallied to cut the deficit to just six at 23-17. Saint Mary grabbed two of the last three points to take the opener 25-18.
In the second set, the Bulldogs worked with a lead nearly the entire way, leading 19-14 before a 6-2 Spires run cut the deficit on just one point. McPherson served for the set at 24-23, but Saint Mary scored three straight points to take the set, 26-24.
The Bulldogs surged back to take the third and fourth sets in convincing fashion to force a fifth-and-deciding frame.
McPherson led the fifth set, 8-7, as the teams switched sides courtesy of a solo block by
Morgan Little (Las Vegas, Nev., Hutchinson CC). USM went on a 4-1 run to grab an 11-9 lead, forcing the Bulldogs to burn both of their timeouts. The Spires grabbed four of the final six points to close out the match, getting the deciding point on a McPherson service error.
Lexi Kite (Thornton, Colo., Prairie View HS) had 16 kills and 15 digs to lead the Bulldogs, while
Leia Seiler (Fort Lupton, Colo., Fort Lupton HS) added 14 kills and
Devrie Sombers (Colorado Springs, Colo., Pinecreek HS) had seven.
Jamie Siess (Tecumseh, Kan., Shawnee Heights HS) posted five service aces and 13 digs.
Kaitlynn Lanier had 14 kills for Saint Mary, while Whitney Rock added 39 assists and 12 digs.
"Tonight's loss was a heartbreaker," said Cleveland. "After taking sets three and four by 10 points each to tie the match, we were unable to sustain the momentum and win the fifth set. A fifth set really tests your mental toughness and we were not able to carry it through to the end."
The Bulldogs return to the court this weekend, traveling to Omaha for four matches in a tournament co-hosted by the College of Saint Mary and Grace University. McPherson faces Dakota State and Presentation on Friday, then takes on Mayville State and Briar Cliff on Saturday.
