Box Score

MADISON, Wis. – Playing from behind two sets is not a good way to start a match again the defending conference champions, but the Edgewood College volleyball team almost completed an improbable comeback against Dominican University on Friday night. The Eagles battled back and forced a fifth set, but could not complete the comeback, falling 3-2 to the Stars.

The Stars (13-4, 5-0 NAC) took the first two sets behind outside hitter Jacy Lawrence who recorded 11 of her match-high 26 kills in the two sets. Dominican took the first 25-19 before holding off a late Eagle rally in the second set for the 25-22 win.

Edgewood College (10-8, 3-2 NAC) started the third set on a mission, recording three blocks to start the set. Kristin Manske had a hand in all three blocks, including a solo block to end the streak before a Rachel Thomsen ace forced a Dominican timeout with the Eagles ahead 5-0. A Manske kill put the Eagles up 6-0, and a Star attack error gave the Eagles a 7-0 advantage. The Stars fought back, however, tying the score at 17 apiece. Mallory Palmer and Sarah Schuchhardt broke an 18-18 tie with a block before Jessica Martin and Aryn Wellnitz hammered home consecutive kills to give the Eagles a 21-18 advantage. Sam Himmelspach gave the Eagles the 25-19 victory with one of her two aces in the match.

Trailing 15-10 in the fourth set, Palmer started a 6-0 spurt with one of her six kills in the set. Wellnitz and Schuchhardt followed with back-to-back kills before a Lindsey Swansby ace brought the Eagles to within one. An attack error tied the score and Swansby ended the run with another ace to put the Eagles up 16-15. The Eagles extended their lead to 24-19 and took the set 25-20 on a Manske kill to force a fifth and decisive set.

Palmer and Schuchhardt registered consecutive kills to start the fifth set, and after an attack error, Palmer gave the Eagles a 4-0 lead with another kill, forcing a Dominican timeout. The timeout proved to be valuable for the Stars, forcing a side out on a Claire Dezelski kill after the break. The Stars went on to score seven of the next eight points to open up an 8-5 lead. The lead swelled to 12-6 after a Lawrence kill before the Eagles used a timeout. Out of the timeout, Jessica Guerrieri and Lawrence recorded consecutive kills to put the Stars up 14-6. Edgewood College recorded two more points, but could not complete the comeback, falling 15-8 and 3-2.

The Stars hit .193 in the match, including a blistering .524 in the final set. After Lawrence's 26 kills, Dezelski was the only other Star to reach double figures with 10 kills. Liz Yakey posted a match-high 28 digs and Guerrieri registered 48 assists.

For the Eagles, Palmer led the way with 21 kills and Wellnitz followed with 10 kills in the match. Manske recorded a career-high eight blocks to go along with eight kills. Martin also tallied eight kills and Schuchhardt hit .467 with seven kills. Swansby posted a match-high 52 assists and Himmelspach led the team with 21 digs.

Edgewood College will try and avenge the loss on Tuesday night when they travel to Rockford College. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.