Back in the NAIA Championships for the first time since 2010, St. Ambrose saw its season come to an end Saturday in a 25-17, 25-9, 25-12 loss at No. 2 Jamestown (N.D.) in the Opening Round.

The Bees' best chance came in the opening set. SAU trailed just 17-15 before the Jimmies ran off a five-point run. Kills from Alexandria Horne and Meredith Umland helped the Bees get within 23-17 before Jamestown closed out the set.

The nationally-ranked Jimmies, fresh off regular-season and tournament championships in the challenging Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), didn't allow the Bees a chance to think about an upset after that.

Jamestown (32-2) took leads of 7-2 and 7-3 in the second and third sets, respectively, and never let up to earn a spot in the 24-team NAIA Championships beginning Nov. 30 in Sioux City, Iowa.

St. Ambrose finished the season 24-10 overall and earned its best finish in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) by taking second in both the regular season and CCAC Tournament.

Jill Kavalauskas led the Bees with seven kills Saturday. Horne and Mackenzie Grafton each had five. Umland recorded four and Meredith Siebers put down two.

Macy Watkins had a team-best nine assists. Hannah Sondag finished with eight. Maicee Pierce led all players with 14 digs.