Griffins Fall In Its Regular Season Series Against Spalding

LOUISVILLE, Ky.— The Fontbonne University women's volleyball team dropped its regular season series against Spalding as the Griffins fell in four sets (25-21, 20-25, 16-25, 25-27) on Saturday.

FBU (4-10; 3-7 SLIAC), finished with 39 kills, a hitting percentage of .134 and 75 digs as a team. Oliva Tallo led them on both sides of the net with her 11 kills and 12 digs. Setter Megan Schaller handed out a season-high 30 assists, while Kristian Eason contributed a team-high 19 digs.

Sarah Borgerding (14), Schaller (13) and Claire Sease (13) all reached double-digits in digs as well.

Spalding (3-12; 3-5 SLIAC), ended the afternoon with 60 kills a .246 hitting percentage. The duo of Claudia Spivey and Ashley Chase totaled 17 and 16 kills respectively. Amanda Patterson dished out a match-high 50 assists, while Koti Weaver added 23 of the teams 87 digs.

In the first set, Fontbonne opened with a 10-7 lead on a Golden Eagles attack error. They stretched it out to 17-10 on a kill from Emma Seiz, but Spalding responded with an 8-2 run to cut the lead down to 19-18 on Ashley Chase's kill. However, the Griffins were able to regroup and close out the Golden Eagles, taking the first set 25-21.

In the second set, Spalding held the lead early but the Griffins were able to take it back at 11-10 on a Golden Eagles attack error. The two teams went point-for-point as they met-up once again at 17-17.

Then, the Golden Eagles went on a 3-0 run to get some breathing room at 20-17 on Chase's service ace. Fontbonne got it back down to 21-20 after another SU attack error, however, Spalding collected the final four points and went on for the 25-20 win on Spivey's kill.

In the third, Spalding took a commanding 11-2 lead out of the gate. FBU gathered themselves and caught fire, narrowing the lead down to 16-14 on a Golden Eagles attack error. Spalding got the lead back out to five at 20-15 and were able to hang on for the 25-16 win.

In the fourth, Fontbonne came out much faster in the all-important set as they took a 10-9 lead on Tallo's kill. They stretched it out to 20-14, but Spalding answered with a 6-0 run to tie it at 20-20.

FBU earned the next three points and were a point away from forcing a fifth set as they were on top 24-22 on Tallo's kill. Spalding wasn't going quietly, however, as they met-up with the Griffins at 24-24 on a FBU attack error.

Both teams traded points to even it at 25-25, but kills from Morgan Berning and Theresa Kwarciany secured the 27-25 set and match win.

Fontbonne will be back in action next Wednesday when they'll take on Webster University. First-serve goes up at 7 p.m.

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