TMU Women's Indoor Volleyball can't repeat comeback in loss to Life Pacific

It was déjà vu all over again for The Master's University women's indoor volleyball team. Just like on Tuesday, TMU found itself trailing Life Pacific two-sets-to-one on Wednesday night inside The MacArthur Center. Except this time there would be no dramatic comeback, as the Mustangs lost for the first time this season, falling to the Warriors in four sets (20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 19-25).
 
"We are a fairly new squad," Master's head coach Annett Davis said. "A lot of our players are still discovering each other and new starting roles. I think we have a lot of talent and will continue to meld together as a stronger unit as the season continues."
 
After dropping the first set 20-25, the Mustangs flipped the script in the second, winning that one by the same 25-20 scoreline to even the match at a set apiece.
 
With the third set tied up at 16-16, Life Pacific went on a 5-0 run to pull away. TMU made it interesting late, saving four set points to get within two, but the Warriors prevailed 25-22 to put the Mustangs on the brink.
 
Facing a 12-7 deficit in the fourth, Master's fought back to make the score 21-19 in favor of the visitors. However, the Mustangs were unable to muster any fourth-set magic this time around, as Life Pacific ended the set on a 4-0 run to clinch the match.
 
Emilye Grace Williams led the Mustangs with 14 kills, while Jessi Swenning added 11 of her own.
 
"Jessi Swenning did a great job for us in the middle tonight as a hitter," Davis said. "She is really coming into her own."
 
Defensively, three Mustangs recorded double-digit digs, with libero Karli Stults leading the way with 14. Faith Tarver tallied 12 digs, while Katie Emmerling added 10. Emmerling also dished out 34 assists to lead all players.
 
Davis is hopeful the loss can motivate her team heading into its upcoming matches, when Master's continues Golden State Athletic Conference play on March 2 and 3 against Ottawa University Arizona in Surprise, Arizona.
 
"Sometimes a loss will give you the kick that you need to work smarter as a unit," Davis said. "I hope it will be just what we needed."