KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Saint Mary's Volleyball fell to Kalamazoo College on Saturday afternoon, 3-1. The Belles fall to 8-13 (0-6 MIAA) while the Hornets improve to 8-16 (1-6 MIAA).
Kalamazoo took control early in the match as they took the first set, 25-19, after using multiple short runs to take the victory. While Saint Mary's was able to put up 12 kills on a .263 hitting percentage, the Hornets took control with 19 kills and a .370 hitting percentage. Sophomore Grace Braselton (Grand Rapids, MI) led the way for the Belles with four kills in the set.
Both teams battled in the second set, and while Saint Mary's cut it close at the end, Kalamazoo came out on top 25-22. Both teams kept it close in every stat but the Hornets were able to oust the Belles slightly for the win. Freshman Kalli Lewkowski (Spring Lake, MI) put up four kills in the set to lead the team with six at the end of the set while sophomore Abby Reese (Elkhart, IN) moved into double-digit assists with 12.
The Belles comeback was on as they took the third set, 25-22. After holding the Hornets to a .087 hitting percentage and forcing nine errors, the Belles were getting back into a groove. Lewkowski brought her kill total to 10 in the set while Reese moved to 16 assists and freshman Giuliana Graczyk (Chicago, IL) moved to double-digit assists with 12.
While the fourth set was just as close as the other three, Kalamazoo came out on top, 25-22, to win the match. Both teams were even in total kills in the set (15) but it was a .353 hitting percentage for the Hornets that earned them the set and match victory.
Lewkowski led the team with 15 kills on the day while senior Cali Allen (Berrien Springs, MI) and sophomore Caroline Carens (Naperville, IL) finished with eight each. Graczyk would lead the Belles with 22 assists on the day while Reese would add 20 of her own. Junior Karli Fegan (Orland Park, IL) led the team with 20 digs on the day. Carens also led the team with four blocks.
UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES
Saint Mary's returns home for the final two matches of the regular season starting on Wednesday as they host Albion College at 7pm before hosting the University of Olivet on Saturday, November 9, for Senior Day. The match with Olivet will start at 1pm and the Senior Day celebrations will follow the match.
