Women's Volleyball | 9/13/2019 11:02:00 PM

Box Score WHEATON, Ill. - For the third time already this season, the Buena Vista volleyball team suffered a heartbreaking five-set loss as it began play on Friday against Benedictine at the Marilyn Scribner Invitational, hosted by Wheaton College.

Three of the team's six losses here early in 2019 have come in five sets with a fourth going down in four sets.  The Eagles took control early on and rolled to a 25-11 opening set victory.  BVU came right back, however, taking each of the next two sets by scores of 25-22 and 25-21.  BVU had 13 kills in the fourth set but Benedictine did not committ a single hitting error in the frame and went on to win 25-17.  It came down to the decisive fifth set and it was the Eagles scoring five straight points to take a 7-3 lead.  The Beavers got back within 8-7 on a kill from Kaitie Serkiz but four straight by the Eagles put them in control as they went on to win the set, 15-10.

Sophomore Sydney McLaren was back in the line-up and led the way for BVU with a match-high 17 kills to go along with nine digs.  Junior Hannah Smith followed with 13 kills on 30 swings.  Taylor Wedemeyer had 39 assists, five ace serves and eight digs.  Summer Goss again anchored the defense with 20 digs while Jade Hays chipped in with 12.

"We are definitely disappointed with the five-set loss," says head coach Aubrey Havlichek.  "There was lots of good, but we just couldn't finish.  That's been the story of our season so far and we've got to find a way to carry the good through and finish.  A huge credit to Camryn (McClintock) as we threw her in a new position for a different look and she helped right away."

Benedictine (7-3) had four players finish with at least 10 kills as the Eagles managed a strong .282 hitting percentage for the match.

Buena Vista drops to 2-6 overall but is eager to get back out on the court on Saturday where it plays matches against Dominican University at 12 p.m. and Lake Forest College at 2 p.m.