AVE MARIA, Fla. --- After the Lady Gyrenes took the first set, St. Thomas won the next three sets to defeat the Ave Maria volleyball team 3-1 on Saturday night.
 
The Blue and Green came out firing on all cylinders allowing them to jump out to an early 11-4 lead on a kill by Lauren Howell. Ave Maria maintained a comfortable lead until a late run by St. Thomas brought the Lady Bobcats within one, 22-21. On AMU's fourth game point, Lexy Smith recorded a kill to close out the set 25-23.
 
The Lady Gyrenes fought hard in the next three sets but didn't have enough to take down conference leading St. Thomas, 25-18, 25-14, 25-15.
 
Ave Maria hit at a .175 clip in the match while St. Thomas finished with a .299 hitting percentage. St. Thomas had 57 kills compared to 41 by AMU.
 
Lexy Smith led the Lady Gyrenes with 10 kills followed by Lexie Andric with nine. Lauren Howell had seven kills for the Blue and Green. Andric also had three total blocks.
 
Veronika Garcia had 19 assists while Lauren Ruby tallied 14. Keke Smith finished with a team-high 11 digs.
 
Ave Maria returns to the court on Oct. 14 when they welcome Keiser University to Tom Golisano Field House.