MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Ave Maria Volleyball team headed across the state for the second to last game of the regular season against the No. 10 St. Thomas Bobcats. Much like the first match against the Bobcats in October, the Gyrenes fell in three sets 25-15, 25-15, 25-12.
Ave Maria never led in the first set, but for the beginning part of the frame, were within three to four points of the Bobcats. However, St. Thomas finished the set with a 9-2 run, with six of those nine points coming off of kills.
Despite having the same score as the first, the second set started a little better with Ave Maria taking the first point. That was their only lead of the frame however, as St. Thomas won the next two to take the lead and cruised to another 25-15 set win. Ave Maria recorded their most kills in a set in the middle frame, with 10 of their 15 points coming off kills.
The third set started off promising with Ave Maria winning three of the first four points. However, St. Thomas retook the lead and closed out the match with a 25-12 set win.
Emily Child led the team in kills with seven. Caroline Myers was the leading setter with nine assists. Ines Lopes led the team defensively with 11 digs.
With the loss, Ave Maria falls to 4-18 overall and 4-9 in conference play. The Gyrenes are still in playoff contention holding on to sixth place in the Sun Conference Standings. Thanks to a Warner loss to Southeastern also on Wednesday, Ave Maria still has a game up on the Royals.
The Gyrenes can clinch their spot in the postseason in the season finale Saturday afternoon. A win will secure their spot as the last team in the tournament. If Ave Maria losses, they can still get in with a Warner loss later that night.
Ave Maria closes out the regular season Saturday against the Webber Warriors up in Babson Park. The Gyrenes won a big match at home against the Warriors October 5, take three straight sets after dropping the first one to win 3-1. Opening serve is set for 2 p.m. Should the Gyrenes need to do some scoreboard watching after the game, the Royals take on the Florida Memorial Lions at 7 p.m. Both games will be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.
