WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's volleyball team could not maintain its momentum on the second day of the Lancer Classic on Saturday.
After winning both of their matches in 3-0 fashion on Friday, the Lady Lancers lost twice on Saturday to Cumberland and St. Xavier.
Grace started the match sharply against Cumberland thanks to the serving of Grace Erwin; the Lady Lancers won six of the first eight points.
The Phoenix came roaring back soon after to tie the score. Grace tried to build a cushion again at 16-12, and the home team held on for a 25-19 win.
Grace had 15 kills on just four errors in the set, led by four kills from Anna Frey.
In the second set, the Phoenix gained an edge midway into the game. Grace was unable to rally and fell 25-16. Cumberland amassed 14 kills in the set compared to nine for the Lady Lancers.
In the third set, a 9-2 spurt by Grace forced Cumberland to burn an early timeout. The tactic worked as the Phoenix employed a run to tie the score at 17-17.
The match remained close, but Cumberland made plays late to pull out a 25-23 win. Grace had 15 kills compared to 11 for Cumberland in the set, but the Phoenix aced five times to make the difference.
Cumberland scored the first four points of the fourth set. Grace struggled to fully bridge that gap, pulling to within one point on a few occasions. But each time, the Phoenix had an answer. Cumberland secured the 3-1 win with a 25-21 victory.
The Lady Lancers' attack had more kills (52 to 51) and a better attack percentage (.192 to .178) than the Phoenix. But Cumberland's 11 service aces propelled the visitors.
Katie Swanson's 12 kills led Grace, and Frey had 11 kills, 11 digs and 4 block assists.
Leffring had 9 kills, 1 solo block and 3 block assists, Mueller had 9 kills, 1 solo block and 2 block assists, and Ross added five kills.
Syoen amassed 31 assists with 16 digs, Novotny racked up 26 digs, and Erwin added 10 digs.
In the final match of the tournament for Grace, St. Xavier (who is receiving votes in the NAIA) proved too much for Grace to handle.
SXU erupted for 17 kills in the opening set, winning 25-19. The second set ended with the same score as SXU added 15 more kills.
The Cougars finished off the sweep with a 25-16 victory.
Frey's eight kills and Leffring's seven kills paced Grace, and Novotny notched 13 digs in the match.
Frey was named to the All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the weekend.
The Lady Lancers' next match is also at home, hosting No. 21 Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
