SAINT MARY OF THE WOODS, Ind. – The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College volleyball team fell in the USCAA Volleyball National Championship on Saturday to defending national champion Florida College.

The Pomeroys started off the day by winning their semifinal match with Alfred State to advance to the title game. The Pomeroys downed Alfred State in three straight sets, 25-22, 25-18 and 25-22. SMWC's attack was led by freshman McKenzi Kumpf's 14 kills, while junior Brylie Riddell added seven kills and freshman Monica Mack added five kills. Kumpf notched a double-double as she also recorded 17 digs. Riddell notched 11 digs, fellow junior Jessica Coombs recorded nine digs and sophomore Madeline Howes recorded a match-high 19 digs. Freshman Mary Alvanos recorded 29 assists.

By defeating Alfred State, the Pomeroys earned a spot in the title game against the defending USCAA National Champion – Florida College. The Pomeroys faced FC once during the regular season and fell in three sets. They also faced them once at the tournament during pool play where they fell in two close sets.

The title game played out just like the other meetings between the two teams, with FC sweeping SMWC. However, the first year program made up of just eight players wouldn't make it easy for FC. The Pomeroys fell in the first set 15-25 and again in the second set 19-25. The third set saw SMWC stay tight with FC until the very end, where they fell 22-25.

Kumpf again delivered a double-double with 10 kills and 17 digs, while Mack and freshman Autum Loughead each recorded six kills. Alvanos notched 26 assists, and Howes recorded a match-high 25 digs. Defensively, freshman Gabriella Slagle recorded five block assists and one solo block.

The Pomeroys finished their inaugural season as the USCAA National Runner-Up with a winning record of 19-16. During the awards ceremony following the title match, Howes and Kumpf were both recognized as all-tournament players for their performances over the past three days.

The Pomeroys now enter their first offseason as a team and will look to build upon what has been a historical and noteworthy first season. Stay tuned to SMWCPOMEROYS.com for up-to-date news and information on SMWC volleyball.