Adrian Outlasts Saint Mary’s in Five Game Thriller

Box Score

In the regular season finale for both teams, Adrian knocked off Saint Mary’s 3-2 (30-22, 30-28, 26-30, 30-32, 15-13) Saturday afternoon in MIAA volleyball action at the Angela Athletic Center.

The win lifts Adrian’s record to 17-8 overall and 12-4 in league play while the Belles fall to 16-9 and 9-7 respectively. Next week the MIAA post-season tournament starts with Adrian earning the third seed and Saint Mary’s serving as the fourth seed. Both teams will host a first-round match.

After Adrian seemingly took control of the match after claiming a 2-0 lead with game one and two victories, the Belles fought back to take the third game. In game three, the score was knotted at 26-26 but Saint Mary’s rattled off four consecutive points, two of which came via Kaela Hellman service aces, to extend the match.

In a nip-and-tuck fourth game, Adrian held a 21-16 lead but the Belles chipped away and eventually tied the game at 22-22. The Bulldogs went in front and had a match point at 29-28 but a Hellman kill kept the Belles in the match. Saint Mary’s eventually converted on their second game point to force a decisive game.

Adrian built up a 9-6 advantage in the final game but the Belles chipped away and fought off the Bulldogs second match point to get within 14-13 but an attack error by the Belles Ann Carpenter ended the marathon match.

Lindsey Eshelman had a match high 24 kills to pace the Bulldogs effort. Abby Sikora posted a double-double with a 66-assist, 28-dig effort.

Kristen Playko posted her 19 th double-double of the season with 23-kills and 20-digs for the Belles. Anne Cusack posted a match high 32 digs.