TMU Women's Volleyball drops GSAC opener

Despite winning the first set, TMU Women's Volleyball dropped its Golden State Athletic Conference opener on Friday night at Vanguard University in four sets (25-23, 14-25, 24-26, 20-25).
 
"Tonight was a tough match," Master's Head Coach Annett Davis said. "'The Pit' was loud and rowdy. It was a test of mental toughness for our team."
 
The Mustangs passed that test in the first set, claiming a two-point victory to take the overall match lead. TMU trailed by as many as four points in the opening stanza, but battled back to take the lead. Then ahead 19-18, two service aces from Natalie Collins capped off a 4-0 run that gave Master's all the cushion it needed.
 
TMU appeared to take that momentum into the second set, taking a 5-1 advantage after four-straight service aces from Emily Clark. However, with the set tied 8-8, the Lions scored 15 of the next 17 points to take a 13-point lead before ultimately winning the set by 11.
 
With Vanguard leading 14-10 in the third set, an 8-0 Master's run put the visitors ahead by four. The home side then fought back to tie, only for a Lion service error to give TMU set point. But Vanguard saved set point before scoring the next two points of the set to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
 
Then in the fourth and ultimately final set, the Lions raced ahead to a 4-0 advantage. TMU fought back to within one on a couple occasions, but trailed the entire set to lose the match in four sets.
 
"Vanguard had a big block that our team struggled with, making it difficult to score," Davis said. "We didn't play our best match tonight. We have a lot more to give."
 
Faith Tarver recorded a double-double of 13 kills and 10 digs. Ruby Duncan (two blocks) tied Tarver for the team-lead in kills, while Clark (seven kills) led the team with eight service aces.
 
"We did have a few players shine though," Davis said. "Emily Clark and Faith Tarver blasted through and around the block for some thunderous kills."
 
Collins dished out 38 assists, while Karli Stults tallied 13 digs to lead all players.
 
TMU (4-7 overall, 0-1 GSAC) returns to conference action on Saturday against Hope International. First serve inside The MacArthur Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.