LA CROSSE, Wis. - The Ashford University (18-14, 2-3 MCC) volleyball team kept the margins tight, but came up on the short end of a straight-set loss at the hands of Viterbo University 23-9, 4-1 MCC) in R.W. Beggs Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.

The Saints fell, 23-25, 20-25, 21-25, to move into fifth in the Midwest Collegiate Conference standings at 2-3.

Junior Kelsay McCausland of Camanche recorded nine kills -- giving her 999 in her career to date.

McCausland's offensive effort all but assured she will break the 1,000-kill mark on Friday evening when Ashford hosts the University of Dubuque. The middle hitter would join the departed Aubree Rhoades and Jenny Buelow as members of the 1,000-kill club in school history.

But the Saints had 19 fewer kills than the V-Hawks despite a respectable .211 hitting percentage and just 15 less attack attempts.

Freshman Sarah Wenzel of Clinton contributed six kills and setters Whitney Miller of Clinton and Liz Gbur of Darien, Ill., each totaled eight assists. Defensive specialist Heather McCue of Rock Falls, Ill., had a pair of service aces while Tara Van Zuiden of Albany, Ill., had a team-high nine digs.

McCausland helped AU outblock VU (6-5), recording four assisted blocks. Wenzel and sophomore Kendra King of Morrison, Ill., each had a pair of assisted blocks.

Viterbo was led by three players with double-digit kill totals in Jenna Lau, Amy Braaksma and Katie Flock.

Ashford hosts the Spartans of Dubuque on Friday evening for a non-conference battle in Kehl Arena. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.