Box Score The Master's women's volleyball team took their first conference loss of the season, falling to the Benedictine Mesa (AZ) Redhawks in five sets Friday in Mesa, Ariz.
The Lady Mustangs (11-5, 5-1) won two of the first three sets 25-23, 23-25, 25-18, but dropped the final two 22-25, 7-15.
After taking the 2-1 lead in sets, the fourth set started tight. But little by little, the Redhawks chipped away, opening up first a 2-point lead, then a 3-point lead, before scoring four in a row to go up 14-8. TMU tried to cut into the lead, only to see BenU open it back up and lead by as much as seven, 23-16. The Master's scored five in a row to get to 23-21, but the Redhawks would score two of the final three points to even the match at two sets apiece.
The fifth set started with BenU going on a 6-0 run to thoroughly deflate TMU's chances. Going up by as much as 11-2 and seeming to have it under control, the Lady Mustangs would not quit, getting a 5-0 run to get to within four at 11-7. After a BenU timeout, the momentum shifted back to the Redhawks, scoring the next four points in a row to close out the match and secure the victory.
"They outplayed us. Simple as that," said TMU Head Coach Annett Davis. "We didn't perform well in the areas that we normally do. But the good news is, we are fighters and we will come back stronger."
Grace Colburn finished with a team-high 20 kills and also picked up five aces.
Ruby Duncan had 14 kills and a team-high five total blocks, with
Timberlie Miller getting 40 assists and
Sierra Hale adding 23 digs.
The Master's will be back into the friendly confines of The MacArthur Center on Tuesday when they host Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (AZ). First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
