DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras women's volleyball team split its two matches on Saturday at the Loras Invitational. After opening with a 3–0 sweep of St. Olaf, the Duhawks dropped their finale to Gustavus Adolphus in straight set, finishing finish the weekend with a 2–2 record. With the split, Loras takes a 5–4 record into the start of the Iowa Conference season next Wednesday.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

• The Duhawks started the day with a commanding 8–2 lead in set one, following a kill from sophomore Claire Ritchie.
• Freshman Kelly Boge delivered a kill to extend the advantage to seven, forcing a second St. Olaf timeout with Loras ahead 18–11.
• Two service aces from Ritchie and a kill from senior Danni Kennedy put the finishing touches on the first set's 25–15 final.
• Loras was in the driver's set, leading for much of the second frame and had a comfortable 20–14 after two consecutive kills from freshman Michelle Budden and senior Therese Schultz.
• Facing three match points, the Oles fought off the Duhawks and tied the match at 25-all.
• Two consecutive attacking errors from St. Olaf with the score tied at 26 gave Loras the 28–26 set victory.
• The Duhawks quickly jumped out to a 11–2 lead in the third frame, posting eight kills in those first 11 points.
• Freshman Carlee Beck, who registered three kills in the set, sealed the sweep with a kill, with Loras winning the third set, 25–15.

Gustavus Adolphus

• With the Gusties trailing 5–3 in the first set, Gustavus Adolphus ran off six straight points to take a 9–5 lead in the opening frame.
• The Gusties continued to extend their lead, being very aggressive from the service line, and eventually closed out the Duhawks in set one, 25–14.
• Five consecutive attacking errors from Gustavus Adolphus in the second set opened up a 16–10 lead for Loras.
• After a Gustie timeout, Gustavus Adolphus took a firm hold of the frame, going on an eight-point run to lead 18–16.
• Unable to regain their early momentum after this run, the Duhawks dropped the set by a final of 25–21.
• With Beck at the service line, Loras took the lead in the third frame, using a two-point run to go up 12–10.
• With the Duhawks ahead 14–13, the Gusties used three straight kills to separate themselves, taking a 16–14 lead.
• Gustavus Adolphus continued to stretch its lead with a pair of three-point runs and despite a late Loras rally, closed the match with a kill from Nora Holtan to win 25–20.

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