ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Webster University volleyball fell to Illinois College, 3-1, Tuesday evening at Grant Gym, dropping the four sets by scores of 25-27, 22-25, 25-22 and 18-25. With the loss, Webster moves to 4-6 on the season.
Webster recorded 45 kills, six service aces, five blocks and 70 digs in the match. Illinois College finished with 52 kills, eight aces, six blocks and 66 points.
Illinois College took the opening set 27-25 in a back-and-forth battle. Webster fought off set point at 24-21 to tie the set at 24-24, but Illinois College scored the final two points to take the opening frame.
The second set was again close, with Webster holding a 14-11 lead before Illinois College responded with a six-point run. The Gorloks pulled within one at 20-19, but the Blueboys closed out the set 25-22.
Webster responded in the third, jumping out to an 8-3 lead and holding off an Illinois College rally late in the set. After the Blueboys pulled within 19-18, Webster scored three straight points and went on to take the set 25-22.
Illinois College then opened the fourth set with a 9-2 run. Webster battled back to within two at 16-14 and later cut the deficit to 21-17, but Illinois College answered with three straight points before closing out the match 25-18.
Leah McGrath finished with 11 kills, while Mea Bystrom added nine kills and three blocks. Catherine Rennier recorded five kills on nine attacks, finishing with a team-best .444 hitting percentage. Emma Price totaled 20 assists and 13 digs, while Lilly Bott contributed 11 digs and Lexi Filkins led Webster with 20 digs. Eva Tarlos added four kills and three blocks.
The Gorloks return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 23, hosting Blackburn College in SLIAC play at 7 p.m. in Grant Gymnasium.
