DAVENPORT, Iowa— Woods volleyball (2-7, 1-6 Heart) dropped their sixth game of Heart Conference play on Saturday evening after suffering a 3-0 loss to Heart newcomer Saint Ambrose University (5-13, 3-4 Heart).
The Owls struggled to find their rhythm in the opening set, falling behind after a five-point run by the Fighting Bees. Woods responded with a three-point run, highlighted by a kill from Roberta Carlos da Silva, but SAU held firm. Lennon Adams recorded two kills during a four-point stretch that brought the Owls within four at 14-10. However, St. Ambrose pulled away late to take the opening set 25-16.
William Woods battled back in set two, trading points with the Bees throughout the set. The Owls used consecutive kills from Mariana Casotti and Nora Loeffler to take an 8-6 lead. Both teams battled, eventually deadlocked at 15 midway through the second set. A pair of blocks, including one from Ashley Contreras and Lennon Adams, helped the Owls extend their lead to 19-16. However, St. Ambrose responded with another late run to take the set 25-22.
Facing a two-nil match score, The Owls fought to overcome an early deficit to tie the score at five. Woods found the match level at 15 before St. Ambrose responded with a four-point run to create separation and eventually closed out the match with a 25-19 set victory en route to a 3-0 clean sweep of the Owls.
Carlos da Silva led the Owls with seven kills, while Loeffler added six kills and a .217 hitting percentage. Adams finished with five kills and two blocks, while Casotti recorded three kills and two blocks. Ryleigh Sander paced the offense with 11 assists, and Divana Hearne led the defensive effort with eight digs.
Woods returns home next weekend with matchups against Mount Mercy and Clarke.
