LIVONIA, Mich.- The 19th-ranked Madonna University volleyball team had a rough night at the net on Wednesday inside the Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena as they fell to Aquinas College in four sets.

Playing in front of fans for the first time this season, the Blue and Gold (3-1, 1-1 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference) got off to a solid start, winning set one 25-21, but the Saints (6-1, 2-1 WHAC) won the next three 25-17, 25-19 and 25-20. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Madonna got things started right with a set one win thanks to a .235 attack percentage and 19 kills in the set. However, the offense was stymied in sets 2-4 as the Saints tallied 19 blocks, led by Emily Jones who had 10 block assists in the contest.

While Madonna controlled the tempo in the first set, the visitors from Grand Rapids used large rallies at the end of the next three sets to steal the win. The biggest turning point on the night game with MU leading 17-15 in set four. Aquinas scored seven consecutive points to take the lead before a pair of kills ended the Crusader hope of forcing a fifth set. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• .130-.232 - Madonna hit .130 (53-18-151) on the night while Aquinas finished at .232 (53-18-151)
• 19-6 - The difference in block totals on the night as Aquinas consistently won above the net
• 22 - The number of kills for Jodie Kelly who hit .250 with 14 digs
• .350 - The attack percentage for Janelle Kawsiborski (8-1-20) and Kacie Stoneburner (8-1-20)
• 24-19 - Respective assists totals for the Crusaders setter duo of Jordyn Dawson and Betsy Cook

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders look to rebound on Friday, Feb. 12 as they head to Fort Wayne, Indiana to face Indiana Tech at 7 p.m. 

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