Coralville, Iowa – Saint Louis took Drake to the brink on Thursday in the opening match of the University of Iowa's Kwik Star Klassic, falling in five sets 3-2.
 
The Billikens dip to 4-6 overall, while Drake improves to 3-6.
 
Freshman Addy Brus led the Bills with 20 kills and added a season-high 14 digs for the second double-double of her young career. Delaney Rice added a season-best 17 kills to the Billiken attack and set a career high with 10 blocks.
 
Addie Lyon (25 assists, 12 digs) and Kate Aupperle (23 assists, 11 digs) had double-doubles. Carlie Rodgers led the Billikens with a season-high 30 digs.
 
After Drake took the opening set 28-18, the Billikens responded with a thrilling win in set two, 25-23. A Trinity Luckett block gave the Bills set point, and Luckett had the clinching kill as the Billikens evened it a 1-1.
 
Drake won set three 25-20 despite a late Billiken charge, and SLU again responded with a win in the next set. Set four saw the Bills jump out to a quick 5-0 lead and they edged the Bulldogs 25-23 in the fourth thanks to set-clinching kills from Brus and Rice.
 
In set five, Drake jumped out to a 7-1 advantage but the resilient Billikens battled back to pull within one at 10-9. The Bills won two points on match point before Drake ended it at 15-13.
 
The Billikens continue the tournament Friday when they take on the host Iowa Hawkeyes. First serve is 6 p.m.