AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria volleyball team fell to the visiting Johnson & Wales Wildcats on Wednesday night in straight sets, 25-21, 27-25, 25-20. AMU drops to 3-8 on the season and to 1-5 in Sun Conference play.

The Gyrenes hit at a .085 clip with 34 kills and 23 errors on the night. Johnson & Wales hit .169 with 39 kills and 18 errors.

Katie O'Donnell and Jenna Barnak led AMU with eight kills each. O'Donnell and Daniela Jaramillo each had two service aces. Jaramillo also led AMU in digs with 17. Lauren Ruby had 20 assists on the night followed by Cassie Davis with 11.

Ave Maria took the early lead in the opening set, 7-4, after four straight point. The Wildcats responded with seven of the next eight points to take a three point lead. With Johnson & Wales leading by four late in the set, AMU won back-to-back points to make it 23-21 before the Wildcats closed out the set 25-21.

A back-and-forth start to the second set ended with the Gyrenes ahead 12-9 after a kill by Barnak. Five straight points gave JWU a 14-12 advantage. Tied at 19, Johnson & Wales scored four straight points followed by five straight by the Gyrenes to give AMU a set point, 24-23. JWU scored the next two points before AMU tied at the set at 25. The Wildcats won the next two points to take the set 27-25.

AMU was in control of the third set early on with a 9-3 lead after 12 points. JWU chipped away at the AMU advantage and won six straight points to take a 14-13 lead midway through the set. The teams went back-and-forth for the next several points and were tied 20-20 before five straight by JWU to close out the match.

The Gyrenes return to action on Friday with an exhibition against South Florida State College. The home match will begin at 5 p.m.