AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria University volleyball team tested the No. 21 team in the nation on Saturday afternoon at the Tom Golisano Field House, but eventually fell in three sets to the Bobcats of St. Thomas University, 21-25, 20-25, 25-27. The Bobcats moved to 17-2 (6-1 TSC) with the victory, while the Gyrenes fell to 6-8 (2-4).
 
Ave Maria battled St. Thomas to a 20-20 tie late in the first set behind the tough serving of Aspen Davidson, before the Bobcats recorded five of the final six points to take a 1-0 advantage. The Gyrenes scored five straight times at one point, which evened the set at 16 at the time. AMU also hung around in the second set, falling by five points despite a late rally.
 
The third set was Ave Maria's best chance, as the Gyrenes had three opportunities for set point after taking a 24-21 lead. Hannah Wurster was the leader of the Ave attack in the match's final set, obtaining four kills. However, the Bobcats scored six of the match's final seven points to seal the conference victory.
 
Lexy Smith led the Gyrene attack in the losing effort, racking up 15 kills. Wurster was also effective on the attack, ammassing ten kills on just 15 attempts. In addition to the kills, Smith also had a game-best three blocks at the net. Lauren Ruby led all players with 28 of Ave Maria's 31 team assists. Ruby also recorded ten digs, second only to the 14 from libero Jessica Schein. Lexie Andric added eight digs to go with six kills. Smith, Wurster, and Andric combined for 31 of Ave Maria's 36 kills as a team.
 
For the 21st ranked Bobcats, reigning Sun Conference Player of the Year Whitney Battoe led the way with eleven kills, while Shanotta Bawek put up another nine kills. Battoe was also the Bobcats' leader in digs, recording 13. Kimberly Martino (19) and Dana Nowaczyk (18) split the setting duties, combining for 37 assists between them. Libero Caitlin McCluskey also had a double-figure dig total with 12. Six Bobcat players had at least five digs in Saturday's conference clash.
 
The Lady Gyrenes continue conference play on Wednesday night, facing Florida Memorial University for the first time this season. Ave Maria returns home following the match with FMU, and will battle Keiser University on Friday night at the Tom Golisano Field House. The opening serve of the match is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.