MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- The Rockford University women's volleyball team saw its seven-match winning streak come to an end Tuesday evening, falling to nonconference opponent Alverno College in five sets, 3-2 (20-25, 25-20, 25-16, 26-28, 15-8).
The Regents opened strong in the first set, jumping out to a 5-0 lead behind kills from
Carlie Buetsch and
Ashley Mersch. Rockford maintained its advantage early, leading 11-6 before Alverno rallied with a 13-7 run to take a 19-18 lead. The Regents answered with a late 7-1 run to close out the set and take a 1-0 lead in the match.
Alverno responded in the second set, using a series of scoring runs to take control and even the match at one set apiece.
The Inferno carried that momentum into the third set, closing with an 8-0 run to take a 19-11 lead. Rockford was unable to recover as Alverno claimed the set and moved ahead 2-1.
The Regents responded in the fourth set after falling behind 7-4, using a 9-2 run to take a 13-9 lead. Alverno answered with a 6-1 run, setting up a close finish. The teams battled beyond 25 points before two Alverno errors gave Rockford a 28-26 win and forced a decisive fifth set.
Mersch opened the fifth set with a kill to give Rockford a 2-1 lead, but Alverno took control with a 7-1 run and maintained its advantage to secure the match.
Rockford finished with 46 kills and 37 errors on 169 attempts for a .053 hitting percentage.
Jayce Shaw,
Jalyn Rhodes and
Lilly Dewey led the Regents with nine kills apiece.
Milee Law recorded 17 assists, while
Olivia Clinton added a season-high 14 assists. Dewey also led Rockford with four service aces.
Leila Cooks led the Regents defensively with a season-high 20 digs, while Buetsch added a season-high 15 digs.
Kennedy Bryant,
Emmerson Heun and Rhodes each recorded two blocks.
The Regents will return to NACC action Thursday, Oct. 22, when they host Benedictine University at the Seaver Center at 7 p.m.
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