Box Score

Lourdes returned home to Tam-o-Shanter on Wednesday evening after playing a pair of matches on the road last week, but the Gray Wolves dropped a 25-17, 25-19, 25-18 decision to Northwestern Ohio.
 
“We need to start playing systematically to pick up wins,” head coach Greg Reitz stated after the match.  “We are freelancing too many plays in a team game.  We need to start serving tougher and play into the court.”
 
The Gray Wolves came out strong in the opening set, hitting .304 as a team with 10 kills and just three errors.  Lourdes held an 11-10 advantage before five straight points from the Racers gave the visitors the lead for good.  The Gray Wolves pulled back within two, 17-15 following a Katie McKenty (Toledo, Ohio/Notre Dame H.S.) kill, but UNOH scored eight of the set's final 10 points to take the opening set.
 
Set two also stayed close until the midway point, with the Racers holding just an 11-10 advantage.  However, a 7-1 run by the visitors allowed them to seize control and take a two sets to none lead. 
 
In the finale, Northwestern Ohio raced out to a quick 8-3 lead before Lourdes fought back.  An Allegra Recknegal (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion H.S.) brought Lourdes back within two, 12-10, but a 6-0 spurt by the Racers put the set out of reach for the Gray Wolves.
 
McKenty led Lourdes with 10 kills on the night while Shauna Miller (Austin, Texas/Wimberly H.S.) handed out 26 assists and a team-high nine digs.  As a team the Gray Wolves hit .202 for the match, their fourth best hitting percentage of the season.
 
Northwestern Ohio (21-1, 3-0 WHAC) won its 18^th straight match.  The Racers hit .365 as a team, led by Brittany Egbert's 15 kills in 19 attempts for a .789 hitting percentage.  Ellie Comes had 18 digs for the guests.
 
Lourdes (6-15, 0-4) will have a week off before stepping out of conference action next Wednesday as the Gray Wolves travel to Spring Arbor.  First serve is slated for 7 p.m. at the Fieldhouse in Spring Arbor, Mich.