DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Webster University volleyball team was back in action this evening when they traveled to Dubuque, Iowa, to compete in the Loras Invitational at Loras (Iowa) College. The Gorloks played two matches on the day as they fell in five sets (19-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-22, 7-15) to Buena Vista (Iowa) University before defeating Saint Mary's (Minn.) University in five sets (19-25, 19-25, 25-23, 25-17, 15-13). With the split, the Gorloks are now 3-2 on the season.

In their first match of the day, the Gorloks finished with 49 kills on 176 total attacks for a .108 attacking percentage. They added 41 assists, nine total blocks, 76 digs, and four service aces. The Beavers finished the match with 51 kills on 169 attacks for a .160 attacking percentage.

After dropping the first two sets in the match, Webster got off to a great start in the third set as they jumped out to an early 8-2 lead. The Beavers cut the score down to one, but another run from Webster put them up 20-13 late in the game. The Gorloks picked up the final points of the set and cut the Beavers lead to 2-1 in the match.

The Gorloks found themselves trailing 15-12 midway through the fourth set but were able to battle back to tie the score at 18 late in the game. They continued to play well as the set progressed and ended the game on a 7-4 run to tie the match at two sets apiece.

Webster had a tough time in the final set of the game as the Beavers held a 7-4 lead early. The Gorloks tried their best to get back into the game but an 8-3 run from Buena Vista to end the set solidified the win.

Lauren Borik led the way for Webster as she finished with 15 kills and 21 digs. Kaylee Portell was also swinging well as she finished with 10 kills in the match. Emma Leppien and Ellie Biedenstein ran the offense for the Gorloks as Leppien finished with 20 assists while Biedenstein finished with 12. Cassie Gray led the way defensively as she finished with 24 digs. In addition, Tyler Ramstack finished with 10 digs while Emma Leppien added 12.

In their second match of the day, Webster finished with 60 kills on 160 attacks for a .219 attacking percentage. They added 49 assists, seven total blocks, 80 digs, and four service aces. The Cardinals finished the match with 56 kills on 170 attacks for a .176 attacking percentage.

Just like in their first match of the day, Webster dropped the first two sets against the Cardinals before bouncing back in the third. They found themselves trailing 23-20 late in the game, but a 5-0 run from the Gorloks to end the set kept them alive in the match.

They carried that momentum into the fourth set and jumped out to an early 12-6 lead. They pushed their lead to as many as 12 in the set and cruised to a 25-17 win to force a pivotal fifth game.

In the fifth set of the match, the Gorloks went on an 8-4 run to start the game. The Cardinals cut the lead 13-12 late, but Webster was able to pick up the final points of the set to solidify the match.

Lauren Borik led the way once again as she finished with 19 kills to go along with 12 digs. Emma Leppien also had a great performance as she led the team with 25 assists to go along with a team high 18 digs. In addition, Delaney Demman finished with 14 assists, Cassie Gray finished with 15 digs, and Tyler Ramstack finished with 16 digs.

Webster will continue play in the Loras Invitational on Saturday, September 16^th when they play a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m. The Gorloks will take on Loras (Iowa) College at 10 a.m. and Knox (Ill.) College at 12 p.m.