Rockford University

STORM LAKE, Iowa -- The Rockford University women's volleyball team fell in both matches at the Buena Vista Tournament on Saturday.

The Regents fell to host Buena Vista University, 3-0 (25-20, 25-12, 25-13), in the first match of the day before dropping the second match to Martin Luther College, 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-14).

In the first match against Buena Vista, the Regents grabbed the lead early, scoring the match's first point on an attack error, and maintained the lead until Buena Vista scored three straight points to take the lead, which it would not relinquish for the remainder of the set.

The Beavers kept their momentum going in the second set, leading 20-6 before maintaining their large lead to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Buena Vista maintained its momentum in the third set, opening on an 18-4 run to complete the sweep.

Rockford hit .384 for the match with 41 kills, 13 errors and 73 attempts. Lily Dewey and Brooklyn Rylko recorded three blocks each. Isabella Valdes had a team-high seven assists, while Milee Law had a team-high two aces.

Defensively, Carlie Buetsch had a team-high seven digs.

Against Martin Luther College, Rockford started the first set with a 9-4 lead after kills from Kennedy Bryant and Dewey. Martin Luther then went on a 10-0 run to take a 14-9 lead. The teams traded runs throughout the remainder of the set, but the Regents were unable to regain the lead.

The second set followed a similar pattern as the Regents jumped out to a 7-4 lead. Martin Luther scored three straight points before an attack error put Rockford back up one, 8-7. The Knights then went on a 5-0 run to take the lead and never relinquished it, taking a 2-0 lead in the match.

Martin Luther dominated the third set, taking a 14-3 lead and maintaining that margin for the remainder of the set.

As a team, the Regents struggled offensively, ending the match with a -.202 hitting percentage with 29 kills and 114 attempts. Jayce Shaw recorded seven kills, while Valdes again had a team-high nine assists. Leila Cooks, Buetsch and Danica Grimm each recorded an ace.

Dewey and Grimm had 12 and 11 digs, respectively, while Rhodes, Mersch and Rylko each totaled one block.

The Regents will return to action on Friday, Sept. 18, at the Beloit Triangular against North Park University and host Beloit College, beginning at 11 a.m.