SAN ANTONIO -- It was a rough Saturday for the UAA volleyball team as it dropped a pair of 3-0 decisions to wrap up play here at the St. Mary's Invitational. UAA (1-3) lost the first match of the day to Rollins, before falling in a closer affair against Colorado School of Mines.
Sophomore Heather Lyons and junior Paepaetele Poasa both had double-doubles in the loss to CSM, while Lyons collected a team-high 12 kills against Rollins.
In the early match, UAA was outhit .340 to .147 and outdug 45-35 by the Tars, who won by a score of 30-24, 30-18, 30-20. Rollins (3-0), which is coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005, was led by the strong hitting of Piper Young with 13 kills and a .400 attack percentage.
In the second match, Lyons had 11 kills and 14 digs, and Poasa came up with a match-high 13 kills and 12 digs. Sophomore Caitlin Grenier delivered 12 kills on .308 hitting, while senior Rachael Knecht and freshman Tehane Kahalehau led with 16 digs apiece.
The Seawolves played tough against the Miners, but lost momentum when they failed to convert a pair of game points in the opening frame. In the third game, UAA opened an 18-12 advantage before another CSM comeback. The Seawolves held a 27-26 lead after a Grenier ace, but the Miners rallied for the next four points to close the match.
UAA will try to get back on track next week when it hosts the 13th annual Extended Stay Deluxe Invitational at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex. The first match features UAA against Briar Cliff (Iowa) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31.
