Master's falls in closely-contested GSAC battle with ACU

In a closely fought battle in which the first set could have gone either way, TMU Women's Volleyball dropped its second-straight Golden State Athletic Conference match in four sets, falling to Arizona Christian 23-25, 25-17, 18-25, 16-25.
 
"Arizona Christian played a great match and have really improved as a program," Master's Head Coach Annett Davis said. "We have a lot of work to do in order to play as one unit. We are a winning team, but we just need to find our stride."
 
In the first set, the two teams' hitting percentages were separated by a mere .02, with a .269 to .267 advantage in favor of the Firestorm. It appeared TMU had control of the opening stanza after Ruby Duncan and Emilye Grace Williams each recorded two kills apiece in a 7-0 Mustang run that put Master's ahead, 11-6.
 
The Mustangs extended that lead to as many as six, leading 17-11, before the Firestorm clawed back to tie the set at 22-22. An Emily Clark kill put TMU ahead once more, but ACU scored the final three points to win the opening set.
 
Master's controlled the second set as well, except this time was able to hold on and not relinquish its lead. The set was tied at 4-4, until two Duncan kills sparked a 5-0 TMU run that sent the Mustangs on their way to evening up the match at one set apiece.
 
In the third set, ACU took early control and led 10-5, only for a 6-0 Master's run to give the visitors their first lead of the third. However, the Firestorm responded right back with a 7-0 run of its own. TMU got back to within three, but that was as close as it would get before ACU retook the overall match lead.
 
The home side once again took a 10-5 advantage in the fourth set, except there would be no almost comeback this time around, as the Firestorm led by as many as 11 in the fourth before claiming the overall match with a nine-point set victory.
 
One highlight for the Mustangs was the play of its two setters. Natalie Collins recorded 21 assists, while Timberlie Miller was right behind with 20.
 
"Tonight both setters had the opportunity to set," Davis said. "Freshman Timberlie Miller did a great job stepping up to help lead the team."
 
Offensively, Emily Scott led Master's with 10 kills and an efficient .400 attack %. Williams also tallied 10 kills, while Duncan and Clark were close behind with nine and eight respectively.
 
On the defensive side, Duncan's four blocks led TMU, while Stults' 18 digs led all Mustangs.
 
Master's (5-9 overall, 1-3 GSAC) returns to GSAC action on Friday when the team travels to take on Life Pacific, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll.