Lourdes wrapped up play in its own Gray Wolf Invitational on Saturday afternoon, dropping a 25-21, 25-19, 28-26 decision to 11^th-ranked Georgetown (Ky.) inside the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center.
 
"We battled at times but now we need to continue to improve making the little plays during the rallies," head coach Greg Reitz said afterwards.  "Our service pressure needs to increase, and we need consistency from our serve receive."
 
Eduardo Ayala (Curitiba, Brazil/Colegio Dom Bosco) put down a match-high 22 kills and hit .417 for the Gray Wolves, but he accounted for more than 50% of the team's total of 40 kills on the day.  Overall, Lourdes hit just .185 as a team with Joey Bianco (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder H.S.) handing out 31 assists.
 
The Gray Wolves never led in the opening set, with the Tigers building a 16-11 lead midway through.  Lourdes fought back to within one, 22-21, only to see the visitors score the final three points of the set.  The second set had 12 ties and five lead changes.  The Gray Wolves led 17-16 before Georgetown closed with a 9-2 run to build a 2-0 lead in the match. 
 
Lourdes fell behind 4-0 in the third and trailed by as many as five, 16-11, before pulling even at 18.  The Gray Wolves fended off four match points late before Georgetown completed the sweep.
 
Brayden Moyars (McCordsville, Ind./Cathedral H.S.) picked up a team-high eight digs defensively while Ben Palma (Dayton, Ohio/Wayne H.S.) had three blocks for the Gray Wolves.
 
Ryan Gunn led Georgetown (6-2) with 16 kills while Krzysztof Kowalski had five blocks.
 
Lourdes (0-6) takes to the road for its next three matches, beginning on Tuesday evening against Goshen.  The opening serve is set for 7 p.m. inside Gunden Gymnasium in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference opener.