MONTGOMERY, Ala.- The Ave Maria University volleyball team battled their way to a split Friday, taking one of their first two matches at the Faulkner Invitational in Montgomery, Alabama. The Gyrenes fell in their opener against Reinhardt in three sets, but rallied for a dramatic victory in the nightcap, knocking off host Faulkner in five sets.
Ave Maria couldn't get much going offensively in the first match of the day, as Reinhardt logged an attack percentage of .252 to the Gyrenes' .128 en route to a 25-17, 25-23, 25-20 win. The Eagles had at least ten kills in each of the three sets, while AMU logged 14 of their 25 kills in a single set, the second. The Gyrenes held a 16-12 lead in the first set, but a 13-1 run from Reinhardt swung the momentum of the match, and AMU was never able to recover,
Ines Lopes was Ave Maria's standout in the opening match, as the junior did everything she could defensively. The Portuguese native accounted for nearly half of Ave Maria's digs, logging 21 in just three sets. Zelie Kessler was AMU's top attacker, putting down seven kills, while Alayna Metherd added five. Ryan Getz continued to be the main setter for the Gyrenes, ending the match with 13 assists.
Friday's second match seemed to be more of the same, as Faulkner took the first set, 25-14. However, Ave Maria's attack woke up in the second and third sets, recording attack percentages above .300 in set victories of 25-18 and 25-20. After dropping the fourth set, the Gyrenes jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the decider. Faulkner was able to rally back within one point at 13-12, but a service error and a kill from freshman Paeton Hyde allowed the Gyrenes to secure their first win of the weekend.
Elle Malczewski took on a starring role in the nightcap, recording an attack percentage of .412 while putting down 17 kills. Kessler had another strong performance with 15 kills and an attack percentage of .325. Getz and Caroline Myers split setting duties, with Getz finishing with 24 assists and Myers adding another 21. Three Gyrenes had double figure digs, led by 15 from Hannah Jones. Lopes added 14, and Getz finished off a double-double with eleven digs.
The Gyrenes will look to keep the momentum going from Friday night's win over the tournament hosts, as AMU plays their final two matches before the start of Sun Conference play. Ave Maria will battle Columbia International University from South Carolina at 11:00 local time Saturday, then will finish their stay in Alabama with a match against William Carey University at 1:00 p.m. Those matches will be AMU's last before SUN play begins with a match against Warner on Wednesday.
