AVE MARIA, Fla. — The Ave Maria volleyball team played a tight game with the Southeastern Fire Saturday afternoon, but ultimately fell 3-1. Despite the loss, the Gyrenes never felt out of the match, and were threatening of forcing a winner-take-all fifth set.

In the opening frame, the two teams were neck and neck for much of the set. Neither team led by more than two points at any given time. Unfortunately, that changed when Southeastern went on a 6-0 run to take a 20-15 lead. Ave Maria did their best to fight their way back, but the lead was too large as Southeastern took the first set 25-19.

Ave Maria got their lone set in the second frame, beating Southeastern 25-17. There was no signature run in the second set for the Gyrenes, but multiple solid four-point stretches that put Ave Maria in front. Lilian Dauses got the winning blow for the Gyrenes, slamming home a kill of a feed from Megan Klockner.

The third set was the most lopsided of the match with Southeastern winning 25-15. The Fire won 10 of the last 11 points in the set to clinch the frame.

The fourth set saw the two teams play more even-volleyball again, much like the first set. The two teams went back and forth trading points and the lead. A service error from Southeastern brought Ave Maria within two of Southeastern, but the Fire went on a 3-0 run to get to match point. The Gyrenes fended one match point off with a kill from Elle Malczewski, but an attack error ended the game in favor of the Fire.

Individually, Greta Heiney led the team in kills with 11. It was her third game with double digits and a career high. It is also the first time since August 31 that someone other than Beatriz Rissi led the team in kills.

Rissi had a good day in her own right though, racking up five blocks at the net, leading the team.

Behind the line, Caroline Myers got the only two aces for the Gyrenes.

Defensively, Ines Lopes led the team with 26 digs.

The loss drops Ave Maria's record to 1-10 and 1-2 in conference play.

The Gyrenes are on the road for their next two games. The first is Saturday, September 21, in Lake Wales against the Warner Royals. Then the Gyrenes travel across the state to West Palm Beach for a midweek matchup with the Keiser Seahawks. Both games can be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.