WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Despite close scores each set, Grace's volleyball team was unable to beat Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Tuesday.

The Lady Lancers (15-13, 6-6 Crossroads League) became the Cougars (23-0, 13-0 CL) 23rd victim as MVNU remained undefeated overall and in the league, winning 3-0 at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.

Grace was nearly identical to MVNU in most statistical categories, hitting at a higher attack percentage (.152 to .130) and tallying three more block points (7-4). But the Cougars scored points when it mattered.

In the first set, Grace trailed 15-8 before making a rally. The Lady Lancers rattled off an 11-3 spurt, taking the lead 19-18 on a block point by Tori Bontrager and Naarah Foster. But MVNU gained its composure in time to claim seven of the next nine rallies to win 25-21.

The second set was a nailbiter. Grace's offense was in peak condition, pounding out 17 kills on a .326 percentage as a team. But the Cougars were serving for the set at 24-22. Bontrager had a kill on the next point, and MVNU hit wide on the following rally to send the game to extra points. But following a MVNU timeout, the Cougars earned the next two points to win 26-24.

The Cougars closed out the victory in the third and final game, winning 25-21.

Sierra Smith had nine kills to lead Grace's attack, and Kaitlin Kerrigan had eight kills and 11 digs. Kelsee Zuidema added seven kills and an ace, and Sara Miller tallied a match-high 24 digs.

Laken Chaney passed out 21 assists to go along with two aces and six digs, Foster notched five kills on a team-best .312 percentage, and Bontrager had five kills and five block assists.

The Lady Lancers have two road matches left this week, including at Spring Arbor on Friday and at St. Francis on Saturday.