NEW ORLEANS, La.- The Ave Maria University volleyball team didn't leave New Orleans emptyhanded, as the Gyrenes split their final two matches at the Wolf Pack Welcome, played on the campus of Loyola University. The Gyrenes swept Bluefield University, 27-25, 25-18, 25-16 in their first match Saturday morning, before falling in the final game of the tournament, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21 to Evangel University.
Ave Maria rode the momentum of a monumental comeback in the first set to a victory over Bluefield in the day's opener. The Gyrenes trailed 24-18, and proceeded to stave off six set points to even the score at 24. AMU then dropped a point, fought off another set point, then scored two more points on an attack error and a Beatriz Rissi kill to pull off the improbable win.
The last two sets were far less dramatic, with AMU winning both decisively. AMU had their best attacking set in the second, hitting .212 and scoring six of the set's final eight points to pull away. The third set again saw the Gyrenes pull away, as Ave Maria outscored Bluefield 11-3 down the stretch to lock down the sweep.
Freshman Ryan Getz was the unquestioned standout for the Gyrenes against Bluefield. The Michigan native logged a double-double, leading the Gyrenes with ten kills and 16 assists. Caroline Myers, another freshman, also handled some setting duties with 12 assists, while two more newcomers led the defensive efforts. Ines Lopes led all players with 13 digs, while Paeton Hyde had five blocks at the net.
AMU had their chances for another win against Evangel, but fell in three hotly-contested sets. AMU had the first set tied at 23 before falling 25-23, and had closed Evangel's lead to two points in the second set before dropping a 25-22 decision. Evangel then put away Ave Maria with a 25-21 victory in the final set of the day for AMU.
Zelie Kessler and Alayna Metherd were Ave Maria's top attackers in the finale, with both players logging eight kills. Getz continued her solid play at setter with 21 assists, while three Gyrenes players were in double figures in digs. Hannah Jones led Ave Maria with 16 digs, Lopes followed with 12, and Myers rounded out the trio with eleven.
The Gyrenes will play four more matches before the beginning of Sun Conference play, all of which will come at the Faulkner Invitational next weekend in Montgomery, Alabama. Ave Maria will battle Reinhardt and host Faulkner on Friday, then will finish the non-conference slate with matches against Columbia International and William Carey on Saturday.
