Bees drop two to top-10 teams at Midland Invite
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
St. Ambrose (0-2) | 17 | 23 | 11 | 0 |
|
Midland (1-1) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
It was a difficult start for the Bees. Facing a pair of top-10 teams among its three opponents, St. Ambrose started its season 0-3 at the Nebraska Strong Warrior Invite hosted by Midland Friday and Saturday.
SAU lost a four-setter to Briar Cliff Friday night before dropping 3-0 decisions to both No. 8 Midland and No. 3 Grand View Saturday.
The Bees won their first set of the year in an eventual 22-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-22 loss to Briar Cliff. Abby Happ led the team with 12 kills while adding 10 digs. Jessica Hemm had nine kills, Madisyn Johnson finished with eight, and Jenny Koerner and Brea Cunningham each collected four.
Amber Tomlin led all players with 34 assists while also picking up 10 digs. Grace McGrath had a team-leading 15 digs.
Happ also led the team with 10 kills in a 25-17, 25-23, 25-11 loss to host Midland. She recorded nearly half of the team's total as the other Bees combined for just 12 kills.
Tomlin had a team-best 18 assists and added nine digs. McGrath (11) and Maicee Pierce (10) reached double digits in digs.
St. Ambrose was competitive to the end in two of the three sets in a 33-31, 25-14, 25-22 loss to Grand View. SAU squandered a late 21-17 lead and had six set points in the opener but could not convert. The Bees also held a 22-20 lead in the third before watching the Vikings win the final five points.
Happ and Koerner each totaled 10 kills in the setback. Cunningham had six and Johnson finished with five. Tomlin was credited with 31 assists and 11 digs. McGrath registered a match-high 19 digs. Happ matched Tomlin with 11.
The Bees will next play at Clarke Tuesday at 7 p.m.