STORM LAKE, Iowa (March 20, 2021) - The Buena Vista volleyball team had its eyes set on a strong finish to its adjusted season, but the Beavers came up on the short end of a 3-0 home loss to preseason favorite Dubuque on Saturday afternoon.

The Beavers got off to a quick start in the opening set with a 6-2 lead, but Dubuque responded with a 12-5 run for a 14-11 lead.  Later in the frame, the Spartans rolled off seven straight points en route to a 25-14 victory.

After chalking up 15 kills and a .301 attack percentage in the opening set, the Spartans kept the momentum going into the second with 16 more kills and just three errors while holding BVU to only eight kills and six errors.  They jumped out to a 10-2 lead before the Beavers chipped away at that cushion with four straight points, including back-to-back services aces from Kaela White, to get as close as 10-6.  After an ace from Rachel Brockney and a kill from Sydney McLaren, the Beavers were within two at 12-10, but Dubuque came back with four straight points to take control and go on to take a 2-0 lead with a 25-17 victory.

BVU rolled off five straight points early in the third set to grab an 11-9 advantage and continued to lead 15-12 midway through.  Dubuque, however, used four straight kills to help bolster a 6-0 run and never looked back as it finished the sweep with a 25-19 victory.

McLaren finished with a team-high seven kills and Taylor Caves with five.  BVU finished with a .065 attack percentage on 108 total swings.  Taylor Wedemeyer dished out 21 assists and posted eight digs.  Jade Hays chimed in with a team-leading 18 digs.

"Definitely wish we could get that one back," said head coach Aubrey Bell.  "It's not how any of us wanted to go out.  The good news is this team has such a bright future ahead of them.  We saw it in spurts, but also saw in spurts how we can be our worst enemy."

The match was the final time with Bell on the sidelines for the Beavers as she will begin the next chapter in her career.  Buena Vista wrapped up its season at 3-5 overall and in conference play.