LEBANON, Tenn. — Ave Maria competed in their final match in the 2024 Phoenix Classic Saturday, losing in three straight sets to the Fisk Bulldogs. Each set was close in the first few points, but long stretches late in each frame put the Bulldogs ahead.

The first set was the most unbalanced of the match, with the Bulldogs getting out to a couple of big leads. A 6-2 run at the end of the frame gave them a 25-15 opening set win.

The second set saw Ave Maria hang a little closer to Fisk, but still couldn't overcome the Bulldogs. The Gyrenes got four points in a row in the late stages of the set to get within six, but Fisk got the final kill to win the frame 25-18.

In the final set, the Gyrenes battled hard with their backs against the wall. Ave Maria jumped out to a 4-1 lead, and held that lead to make it 10-7.

However, a seven point run from the Bulldogs put them out in front 14-10.

The Gyrenes kept battling and led two more times late in the set. Kylie Lacy got a kill to put Ave Maria up 19-18. Caroline Myers followed that up with a kill to make the lead two.

Fisk tied it at 20 with back-to-back points of their own. A bad set from the Bulldogs gave the Gyrenes their final lead of the set. A 5-1 run gave Fisk the set and match.

Elle Malczewski led the team with eight kills. Myers led the team with 14 assists. Defensively, Ines Lopes led the team with 16 digs.

The Gyrenes had two games scheduled for Saturday, but due to time constraints, their second match against Blue Mountain had to be canceled.

With the loss, Ave Maria opens the 2024 season 0-3.

The Gyrenes return to the court August 30-31 in the Texas Wesleyan & SAGU Tournament. The action starts Friday, August 30, with two matches again Bethel (KS) and Texas Wesleyan.