OUAZ takes down TMU Women's Volleyball in four sets

TMU Women's Volleyball's hard work in practice this week paid dividends in Friday night's match against No. 20 Ottawa University Arizona. However, it wasn't enough for the Mustangs to overcome the Spirit, as OUAZ won the Golden State Athletic Conference contest in four sets (25-20, 25-16, 22-25, 25-20).
 
"The girls worked hard in practice this week and a loss is always tough," Master's Head Coach Annett Davis said. "One thing I was excited about was that we worked on some skills in practice that we saw come out in the game."
 
The Spirit won the first set by five after posting an impressive attack % of .393. TMU's defense reduced OUAZ' hitting % in each successive set, culminating in a third-set victory to force a fourth set.
 
In that third set, Master's faced a 13-19 deficit before trailing 18-22. That's when two Emily Scott kills and three service aces from Natalie Collins propelled the Mustangs to score the final seven points of the set to win the third by three.
 
"There were some glimmers of greatness that we are excited to see come out more often," Davis said.
 
Master's appeared to take some of that momentum into the fourth set, which was tied as late as 18-18. However, a 6-0 OUAZ run all but ended TMU's hopes of forcing a decisive fifth set.
 
Emily Clark led the Mustangs with 13 kills, with Faith Tarver and Scott following with nine and eight respectively. Ruby Duncan led the defense with six blocks, while both Clark and Scott posted three apiece.
 
"Emily Clark had some amazing blocks and kills that helped us to fight back," Davis said.
 
Collins posted a double-double with 31 assists and 10 digs, while she also led the team with her three service aces. Karli Stults recorded the most digs on the team with 13.
 
TMU returns to GSAC action on Saturday afternoon, when Master's takes on Arizona Christian at 3 p.m. in Glendale, Ariz.