Griffins Downed In Four Sets Against Principia

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The Fontbonne University women's volleyball team dropped a tough four set (18-25, 26-24, 16-25, 18-25) outing against Principia on Tuesday night.

The Griffins (4-9; 3-6 SLIAC), totaled 38 kills but what stood out was its play on the defensive side of the net with the team totaling 98 digs and 10 block assists.

On the offensive side of the net, Kristina Eason added another double-double to the year with 13 kills and tied Sarah Borgerding with 20 digs.

Megan Schaller and Abby Grumich tied with 15 assists each, while defensively, Olivia Tallo (18), Schaller (15) and Claire Sease (15) all reached double-digits in digs.

The Panthers (12-2; 5-1 SLIAC), were dominant offensively with its 60 kills and astounding 129 digs. Emily Tippetts played well with her match-high 22 kills and .385 hitting percentage. Sophia Hathaway, meanwhile, contributed 17 kills and 13 digs.

Setter Devon Marunde handed out 48 assists, while libero Mia Gill had a match-high 40 digs in the win.

In the first set, it was Principia jumping out to the 13-10 lead after a Griffins attack error. They held that marginal lead up until FBU tied it at 16-16 on Abby Grumich's kill. However, the Panthers closed out the set on a 9-2 run, winning 25-18.

In the second frame, Fontbonne went on a 4-0 run to take a 10-8 lead over the Panthers on Schaller's service ace. They maintained that advantage until Principia tied it at 16-all on Devon Marunde's kill.

From then on, the two teams went point-for-point but it was Principia leading late at 24-22 after a Griffins attack error. FBU wasn't done, however, as a service error and a kill from Eason tied it at 24-24.

Then, consecutive kills from Grumich and Eason gave Fontbonne the 26-24 second set victory.

In the third, after the set was tied at 7-7, a 5-0 run by the Panthers gave them some breathing room at 12-7.

They built off that run extending its lead out to 18-11 on Hathaway's kill. It was all Principia the rest of the way with them taking the third set, 25-16.

With Fontbonne needing the fourth to force a fifth and final set, they were able to take the early lead at 8-6 on a Panthers set error. Later, Principia went on to regain the advantage at 13-12 and expanded its lead out to 20-15.

Emma Seiz came out with the kill on the following play to make it 20-16, but Principia fended off the Griffins, winning the set and the match, 25-18.

FBU will be back at it this weekend in another SLIAC outing as they'll pay a visit to Spalding on Saturday. First-serve goes up at 11 a.m.

Fans make sure to stay updated on fontbonnegriffins.com throughout the year for full updates and recaps on the women's volleyball team.