Master's had opened the season with four consecutive home wins in women's volleyball.
But the fifth would prove elusive.
Despite getting more kills and more blocks, the Lady Mustangs lost to the visiting Arizona Christian Firestorm in five sets Friday night in The MacArthur Center.
Master's (9-7 overall, 4-5 in GSAC) had a 16-9 lead in the first set, only to see the Firestorm get five points in a row to get to within two. TMU held on to win the first set 25-23, but the tone was set by ACU.
"ACU was on tonight and our girls were a bit off and not playing as a unit," said Head Coach
Annett Davis.
The Firestorm rode that momentum taking the next two sets 25-19 and 25-21 without the Lady Mustangs ever taking a lead in either set.
Then in the fourth set Master's exploded out of the box getting the first three points. ACU climbed to within 4-3, but then the Lady Mustangs went on a 14-1 run to wrest control of the set, eventually winning 25-14, and force a decisive set five.
"Our middles did a great job again," Davis said. "They keep proving to be a consistently strong part of our offense."
It was Arizona Christian's turn to grab the first three points of the fifth set, taking control back and working to a 15-11 set win and the match victory.
Faith Tarver led Master's with 12 kills, Jessi Swenning had nine and
Ruby Duncan eight.
Timberlie Miller dished 21 assists, with
Natalie Collins adding another 20 dimes.
"God allows us wins and He also allows the losses," Davis said. "My prayer is that either way we learn something and take away whatever area He's desiring us to grow in."
Master's will be back on the court Saturday afternoon as they host OUAZÂ in women's volleyball. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.
