AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University volleyball never found their groove Saturday afternoon at Donahue Gym, as the Gyrenes fell in straight sets to the Lions of Florida Memorial University. The Gyrenes suffered self-inflicted wounds throughout the contest, which included 13 service errors and seven service aces for the Lions, who hit nearly .300 as a team in the Sun Conference win. 

Saturday's first set was the closest, with Florida Memorial emerging with a 25-23 win. The lead changed hands several times during the set, eventually working to a 21-21 score after three straight points from the Gyrenes. FMU would counter with four of the set's final six points, with three of those points, including the clinching point, coming on AMU errors - two attack errors and a service error.

AMU grabbed some early momentum with a 7-5 lead in the second set, but Florida Memorial was again able to reclaim the momentum. The Lions pushed their lead to as many as six points during the set, holding leads of 23-17 and 24-18. Two kills from Elle Malczewski and an ace from Ines Lopes allowed the Gyrenes to close the gap to three points, but a block from Bethania Barreto ensured FMU's second set victory.

Florida Memorial proceeded to put the Gyrenes away in the third set, jumping out to a 10-4 lead and never looking back. The Lions were able to overcome a .333 attack percentage by the Gyrenes in the third set, hitting .400 themselves with 15 kills and just three errors on 30 swings in the final set.

Ave Maria's top two attackers did play well, as Elle Malczewski and Zelie Kessler combined for 19 kills and just two attack errors, with ten kills from Malczewski ending up as AMU's top total. Caroline Myers was the leading setter with 12 assists, while Ryan Getz narrowly missed out on a double-double with nine assists and a team-high ten digs. Hannah Jones followed with seven assists of her own.

The Gyrenes will look to get back on track on Wednesday, but it will not be easy. Ave Maria will travel across Alligator Alley for a meeting with the reigning Sun Conference regular season and tournament champions from St. Thomas University. The Bobcats are currently receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Poll, and sit atop the Sun Conference. Opening serve from Miami Gardens is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday night.