LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The 15th ranked Lewis women's volleyball squad dropped a four set match at Bellarmine on Saturday afternoon. Elizabeth Hyland (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) finished with a career-high 25 kills in the contest but it wouldn't be enough.

The Flyers (14-5, 7-3 GLVC) led by three in the opening set after an attack error by Jacquie Hornung. The Knights (12-8, 6-6) responded with an 8-0 run to build its largest lead of the set at 16-11 after a service ace from Jordyn Kuchenbrod. Lewis fought back to even things at 18 after a kill from Alexandra Preuss (Elmhurst, Ill./York).

Bellarmine responded again this time with a 5-1 run to build a 23-19 lead after a kill from Julia Dailey. The Flyers fought back to within 23-22 behind kills from Hyland and Abby Becker (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) but couldn't complete the comeback as the Knights scored the last two points to win the opener 25-22.

Bellarmine used an 8-0 during the second stanza to break a 7-7 tie to take its largest lead of the set at 15-7. Lewis chipped away at the lead and was able to cut the deficit to three on a couple of occasions but were unable to get any closer as the Knights held on for the 25-21 win.

The Flyers trailed 10-9 in set three but this time it was their turn to go on a run. They used a 6-1 run to take a 15-11 lead after a kill from Preuss. Bellarmine got as close as three points at 22-19 but Lewis was able to win the set 25-21 on a kill from Hyland to extend the match.

The Flyers led for the first half of set four and appeared to be in control leading 13-9 but the Knights took the lead for good thanks to a 9-2 run and led 18-15 after a double block from Dailey and Abbie Oetting.
Lewis cut the deficit to two but Bellarmine ended the set scoring seven of the final eight points to win the set 25-17.

The Flyers hit .189 (57 kills/25 errors/169 total attacks) for the match. Hyland led all players with her 25 kills while Caroline Stefanon (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) added 14 kills. Becker dished out 48 assists and Ronni Katarzynski (Winfield, Ill./West Chicago) finished with 20 digs.

Hornung led three Knights in double figures with 15 kills. Katie Adams added 13 and Dailey finished with 11. Kristen O'Toole handed out 25 assists while Kuchenbrod had 31 digs and four service aces.

Bellarmine finished the match with an attack percentage of .211 (53 kills/19 errors/161 total attacks) and had seven service aces.

Lewis returns to action next Friday as it takes part in the 11th annual Midwest Region Crossover at The Volleyball Academy Club in Indianapolis, Ind. Opponents and match times will be announced on Sunday.