Box Score
Lourdes won the opening set against #9 Cardinal Stritch on Saturday afternoon but was unable to close out the match, falling in four sets against the Wolves 19-25, 25-17, 26-24, 25-22 at Tam-o-Shanter.
 
“We started the match really well but we didn't maintain our level of play,” head coach Greg Reitz stated after the contest.  “They increased their level and made adjustments and we did not match them.”
 
A 10-3 Lourdes run early in the opening set put the Gray Wolves on top 13-8, a lead in which they would not relinquish.  Cardinal Stritch pulled back within two, 14-12, but another 7-4 spurt by Lourdes pushed the advantage to 21-16 and helped lead the hosts to the opening set win.  The Gray Wolves hit .259 in the opening set, with Nick DiMarco (Torrance, Calif./South Torrence H.S.) tallying four kills.
 
Set two was close early as the Wolves held a narrow 8-7 advantage over Lourdes before four straight points pushed the Cardinal Stritch lead to five.  The Gray Wolves were never able to make a run in the set, and another three-point spurt late by the Wolves evened the match at one set each.  Lourdes hit just .080 in the set while Cardinal Stritch posted a .360 hitting percentage.
 
Lourdes raced out to an early 10-4 lead in the third set, only to see Cardinal Stritch battle back.  A 5-1 run by the the Wolves pulled the visitors to within two, 12-10, but Lourdes against stretched out the advantage.  A 6-2 burst gave Lourdes a 20-14 lead and the Gray Wolves appeared in control.  Again the Wolves fought back, scoring seven straight points to take a 24-22 lead.  Lourdes tied the set at 24, only to see Cardinal Stritch score the final two points to take the lead in the match. 
 
The fourth set was close throughout as well, with the teams trading sideouts numerous times.  With the set tied at 17, Cardinal Stritch scored four straight points to take the lead for good, on the way to staying unbeaten in MAMVIC East action.
 
Lourdes hit just .098 for the match after its solid start in set one with DiMarco leading the way with 17 kills.  Oliver Cizmazia (Bratislava, Slovakia/Metodova H.S.) handed out 35 assists and shared the team-high honors with Brad Miller (Convoy, Ohio/Crestview H.S.) with eight digs each. 
 
Adam Cosson led Cardinal Stritch (2-1, 2-0 MAMVIC East) with 15 kills while Noah Mader added 14 kills and hit .333.  Mader also was in on nine blocks.  Collin Hartman handed out 26 assists and led the Wolves with nine digs.
 
“We expect every match to be competitive all season long,” Reitz concluded.  “No one will just roll over and give you a win.  Give Cardinal Stritch credit.  They handled us tonight.  We have to get back to work this week for another task next Saturday.”
 
Lourdes (1-1, 1-1) will return to action on Friday evening, traveling to Fort Wayne, Ind. to face NCAA Division I IPFW.  First serve at the Gates Sports Center is set for 7 p.m.