Ravens Volleyball lost to a tough MidAmerica Nazarene University team at home on Tuesday evening.
The Pioneers defeated the Ravens, 3-1, to sweep the season series.
The Ravens played well for most of the first set, but a 7-0 run gave the Pioneers a lead that they held onto the remainder of the set, winning 25-22. The Ravens were leading 15-12 prior to that Pioneer run.
Barbara Terra led the Ravens with 5 kills in the first set, but the Ravens hit just .143 compared to .326 for MNU.
MNU took a 2-0 advantage in the match with a 25-22 win in the second set, but not without the Ravens giving the visitors a scare. The Pioneers seemed to be in control with a 16-8 lead, but the Ravens answered with a 12-4 run to tie the score, 20-20. It was MNU, though, with the finishing touches to win the set.
Both teams struggled on the attack in the second set as the Pioneers were at .167 and the Ravens recorded a .063 attack percentage.
The Ravens picked up a 25-22 win in the third set to extend the match. The home side jumped out to an early 10-4 lead but saw the Pioneers battled back to tie it, 10-10. The Ravens continued to battle, though, taking a 21-16 lead and then finishing off the 3-point set win.
Improved attacking benefited the Ravens in the third set as they had a .364 attack percentage.
The strong hitting in the third set didn't carry over into the fourth set for the Ravens. The Pioneers jumped out to a 9-3 lead and didn't let up. The Ravens made a small run at the end of the set but the Pioneers won 25-17, taking the match, 3-1.
The Ravens had a negative attack percentage in the fourth set as they were unable to find a rhythm on the attack.
Terra led the Ravens with 19 kills, followed by Bridget O'Sullivan's 10 kills. Rayleen Gladden and Lucy Drexel each had 7 kills, and Wren VanCleave had 42 assists.
Kelly DeMeulenaere and Isabella Franco each had 2 service aces, and DeMeulenaere added 22 digs. VanCleave had 17 digs and Cate Milroy added 13 digs. JoJo Vander Woude had 3 block assists to lead the team.
Next up for the Ravens (10-9, 6-4 Heart) will be Senior Day at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 at home against Graceland University.