Webster downs Griffins 3-1

St. Louis, Mo. - Fontbonne women's volleyball put up a tough fight tonight against one of the top SLIAC opponents, Webster University. The Griffins ultimately fell 3-1, taking their overall record to 10-14 and conference record to 8-4.

In the first set, Fontbonne and Webster were tied 14-14 when Webster put up an 8-1 run to lead 22-15. Fontbonne rebounded with four consecutive points to trail 19-22 before Webster finished with the 25-20 win.

A tight-second set, that saw 14 ties ended with a Griffin win as Fontbonne secured the final three points on kills. In the third set, Fontbonne got out to a slow start as Webster led 15-8 before the Griffins scored three straight points. The points came off better blocking as fans called it a 'block party'. Webster was able to lead 19-12, forcing a Griffin timeout. The Gorloks closed out the setfor a 25-16 win.

Fontbonne jumped out to a 4-1 fourth-set advantage until Webster turned around and led 6-4. Eleven ties between these two rival teams occurred in the match. The Griffins led 18-17 when the Gorloks scored a 7-1 run to lead 24-19. The Griffins, who have been in the same situation many times this year already, scored three points to trail by two. Webster killed Fontbonne's momentum on a timeout and final kill.

Fontbonne's skills at the net defensively have improved greatly. Holly Richter was part of five blocks, earning four block attempts and recording the only solo block on the night for Fontbonne. Carissa Dodge and Kersten McDonough teamed up for four blocks as well. McDonough totaled 14 kills and added 15 digs while Kristina Eason hit .270 with 11 kills, three digs, two block assists and one service ace. Fontbonne's largest offensive threat in accuracy was Bailey Benes with seven kills and a .278 hitting percentage. In the back row, Maddie Stadler totaled 35 digs. Mandy DeWitt led the setters with 19 assists while Lynsey Wehrenberg was right behind her with 17.

The Griffins will play two neutral-site games Saturday at Webster. The games involve two other SLIAC teams in the middle of the hunt for a tournament spot. Fontbonne takes on Principia at 11am followed by Westminster at 1pm.