MIDWAY, Ken. – The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) volleyball team (4-3) suffered a heartbreaking loss to Midway University (11-3) this evening. Despite dropping the first two sets, the Pomeroys fought back to tie it up and force set five and keep it close, but couldn't come up with the win. The team was led by Mandi Alspach with 14 kills and 4 blocks.

The Highlights

• SMWC came out fighting as they kept the set close through the first half, but errors by the Pomeroys and service aces from Midway gave them the lead as they started to pull away. The Pomeroys would drop this one 14-25.
• Looking to shake off the previous set, the Pomeroys once again stayed with the Eagles until a chain of errors and mental miscues took hold. SMWC would struggle mightily in the second set and fall 10-25.
• Looking to avoid the sweep, SMWC came out swinging in the third set by taking advantages of Midway's own errors and making some big plays of their own. SMWC would build a solid 9-point lead to mitigate some scoring by Midway and escape this one 25-21.
• Set four would once again stay very close and Midway errors combined with big kills from Woodburn and Alspach would give SMWC the hope to tie the match up. The Pomeroys roll to a 25-19 win and force a deciding set five.
• With a comeback on the line, SMWC couldn't afford to suffer the same errors that haunted them earlier in the match and they would deliver. Errors by the Eagles would keep SMWC close and able to strike, taking a 15-14 lead late in the set. Three straight kills by Midway's Alysha Tullar would put the set away and crush the Pomeroys comeback hopes as they lose 15-17. 

By the Numbers

• Mandi Alspach led the team with 14 kills (4 blocks), followed by Alexis Woodburn (11 kills, 3 blocks) and Jaelyn Fennell (9 kills, 10 digs).
• Katelyn Cotter led the team with 41 assists while adding 2 kills and 9 digs as she adds to her program record for assists.

Quote | Head Coach Nancy Sikobe

"Despite being down two sets, the team did not give up. They composed themselves and fought back hard."

Up Next?

SMWC will play Indiana University-Southeast on October 27th at 7:00 p.m. ET.

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