FULTON, Mo. — The William Woods University volleyball team dropped its Heart of America Athletic Conference opener Tuesday evening, falling to Missouri Valley 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 16-25, 23-25) at Anderson Arena.
Isabella Ruether led the Owls with 15 kills and five block assists, while Roberta Carlos de Silva added 11 kills and two block assists. Lennon Adams finished with nine kills, while Mariana Casotti recorded a team-high eight block assists.
Ryleigh Sander directed the William Woods offense with 30 assists and added 20 digs. Daniela Castro recorded 14 digs, while Sofia Granada finished with 10 digs, three block assists and two service aces.
William Woods opened the match with several strong individual plays at the net. Ruether recorded kills from Sander and Carlos de Silva, while Casotti and Ruether combined for a block to help the Owls stay within striking distance. Castro added two service aces in the set, and Carlos de Silva and Casotti each contributed kills as Missouri Valley held on for a 25-22 win.
The Owls responded in the second set behind their blocking and serving. Adams recorded a kill and a service ace, while Sander set up Ruether for multiple kills. Casotti and Ruether teamed up for a block, and Granada closed the set with a service ace as William Woods evened the match with a 25-21 victory.
Missouri Valley controlled the third set, but the Owls continued to produce strong individual plays. Castro delivered a service ace and set up Granada for a kill, while Ruether and Adams each recorded kills. Casotti and Ruether also combined for another block before the Vikings took the set 25-16.
The fourth set featured 12 ties and nine lead changes. Carlos de Silva and Ruether combined for three consecutive kills to help the Owls take a 21-20 lead, with Ruether adding another kill later in the set to tie the score at 23. Missouri Valley answered with the final two points, however, taking the set 25-23 and the match 3-1.
William Woods finished with 39 kills, eight service aces, 66 digs and 10 blocks. Missouri Valley recorded 47 kills, 10 aces, 70 digs and eight blocks.
The Owls fall to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in Heart play.
UP NEXT: William Woods returns to Anderson Arena Saturday at noon to host Central Methodist.
