CLINTON, Iowa - The Ashford University volleyball team had a 12-set win streak come to an end in its home opener against Div. III University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Thursday evening, suffering its first loss of the year by a 3-0 decision.
The Pioneers (1-0) clipped the Saints (4-1, 0-0 MCC) in their first action of the season by scores of 25-16, 29-27 and 26-24. Ashford was coming off four consecutive wins at the Zio Johno's Mustang Classic last weekend in Cedar Rapids.
"Our serving was a little off tonight and we weren't as sharp as we were last weekend in that regard," AU Head Coach Micah Cewe said. "Instead, their serving forced us out of rhythm at times when we would have liked the roles to be reversed. We took them deep in the second and third sets, but we need to find a way to close them out."
An uncharacteristic total of 10 service errors seemed to come at inopportune moments for the Saints in key points of this match.
Senior right side hitter Hanna Bruns of La Porte City collected 10 kills to lead the Saints. Senior Kelsay McCausland of Camanche added seven and junior Yawen Xiao of Shanghai, China, tallied five. Senior Tara VanZuiden of Albany, Ill., led all players with 15 digs.
Stephanie Kirchner led the Pioneers offense with a match-high 13 kills. Setter Ali Sikic served up 33 assists and front row hitters Samantha Rampart and Melissa Hillebrand combined for 19 kills, respectively.
The Saints took early control of the second set, thanks to strong serving by junior Kendra King of Morrison, Ill. Back-to-back kills from Bruns and consecutive service aces by King had the Saints cruising to a 6-1 lead.
King ripped all four aces out of the Saints' first nine points in the second set. Bruns had four of her 10 kills among the Saints' first seven points.
The AU advantage swelled to 15-3 before the Pioneers made a charge and would go on a 9-1 run. The Saints would take a pair of timeouts to try and slow down the UWP momentum, but the Pioneers overcame a 27-26 deficit with three straight kills.
The Saints rallied back from a four-point deficit in the decisive third set, with five straight points for AU being highlighted with an assisted block by McCausland and Bruns. A kill from freshman Chelsea Higgins of Festus, Mo., capped off a wild rally that ended up walking over the net and gave AU its first lead in the third set.
But UWP would recreate the second-set magic, turning a one-point hole into victory with two blocks and a solo block to finish off the match.
Ashford will try to get back on the winning track at the St. Xavier/IIT Tournament on Friday and Saturday. Tomorrow, the Saints take on the University of Michigan-Dearborn and Evangel University at 4 and 6 p.m. in Chicago.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville 3, Ashford 0 - Box Score
