WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Ave Maria University was just two points away from a critical Sun Conference win on Wednesday night, but eventually dropped a five-set heartbreaker to the Seahawks of Keiser University in West Palm Beach. The match, which was Ave Maria's second five-set affair of the season, was a rematch of last season's Sun Conference Tournament championship match.

Keiser took the first set from the Gyrenes, which was a back-and-forth affair in the early moments. Keiser's key run came when trailing 14-13, as the Seahawks proceeded to go on a 7-2 run to open up a 20-16 lead. Ave Maria would get no closer than three points for the remainder of the set, and a kill by Ryelle Cox concluded matters in the first for Keiser.

Ave Maria jumped out to a lead early in the second set, and held that lead for much of the frame. The Gyrenes opened up that lead with a 7-1 run, turning a 12-10 nailbiter into a 19-11 lead. The Gyrenes proceeded to put away the Seahawks in the second set with any major scares, as a Lily Witkoski kill ended the frame and evened the match at one. 

In the third set, Ave Maria had an early lead, holding the edge as late as 14-13. Keiser scored the next four points to take a 17-14 lead that they would not give up, as the Gyrenes never again got closer than two points. With the Seahawks leading 23-21, Cox had back-to-back kills to give Keiser a 2-1 lead in the match. 

The Gyrenes would not go away, forcing a fifth set with a dramatic 29-27 win. The Gyrenes were able to turn away two match points from the Seahawks, the first on a block from Millie Stockard and Abigail Costlow, and the second thanks to a Keiser service error. With the set tied at 27, the Gyrenes forced a fifth set on a Madelyn Haut kill and a Seahawk attack error. 

During the decisive fifth set, Ave Maria seemed to be in control, holding an 11-8 lead. Keiser responded with four of the next five points, evening the score at 12. After a kill from Stockard gave AMU a 13-12 lead, Keiser then scored three straight points to win the match, with kills from Anna Lea Kuster, Ryelle Cox, and Cassie Cox.

A pair of freshmen led the way for Ave Maria, as Rita Campos and Abigail Costlow combined for 35 kills. Campos posted a double-double with 19 kills and 13 digs, while Costlow was unstoppable at the net, tying a program record with nine total blocks. Costlow also had 16 kills with a .640 attack percentage. Lily Witkoski led the Gyrene attack with 54 assists, while the defense was led by a season-high 29 digs from Victoria Schein.

Another quality opponent awaits the Gyrenes on Saturday, as Ave Maria hosts Florida Memorial, who is tied for first in the Sun Conference, at the Donahue Academy Gymnasium. Opening serve between the Gyrenes and the Lions is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.