ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis battled back from a two-set deficit to force a fifth set before falling to Lindenwood, 3-2, Sunday afternoon inside Chaifetz Pavilion to close out the Billiken Invitational.
The Billikens finish the opening weekend 2-1 after the five-set battle, which featured 31 ties and 10 lead changes. Saint Louis recorded 67 kills and hit .294 for the match, including a .371 mark in the third set.
SET 1 | SLU 17, LU 25
The teams traded points early before Lindenwood took control with a 5-0 run that turned a 7-6 lead into a 12-6 advantage. The Lions continued to build their lead, going up 17-7 before Saint Louis responded with five of the next six points to cut the deficit to 18-12. Lindenwood maintained its advantage down the stretch to take the opening set, 25-17.
SET 2 | SLU 22, LU 25
The second set featured seven ties and four lead changes as the teams went point-for-point throughout. Lindenwood took a 24-20 lead, but the Billikens fought off two set points and pulled within two before the Lions closed out the set, 25-22.
SET 3 | SLU 25, LU 21
Lindenwood again took an early advantage, building a 10-7 lead, but Saint Louis answered to pull within one at 10-9. The Lions pushed ahead again before the Billikens used a 4-0 run to take their first lead of the set at 14-13. After the teams continued to trade points, Saint Louis created separation late, taking a 20-16 lead behind the serve of
Jetta Brenning. Lindenwood closed within one at 22-21, but the Billikens scored three of the final four points to take the set, 25-21.
SET 4 | SLU 25, LU 22
The Billikens carried their momentum into the fourth set, taking a 10-7 lead before Lindenwood rallied to tie the set at 11 and 16. The Lions moved in front 17-16, and the teams continued to trade points until Lindenwood took a 21-18 advantage. Saint Louis answered with four straight points to regain the lead at 22-21. After Lindenwood tied the set at 22, the Billikens closed out the frame with three consecutive points to force a fifth set.
SET 5 | SLU 12, LU 15
Saint Louis jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the deciding set and maintained the advantage through an 8-7 score. Lindenwood then scored three straight to take a 10-8 lead. The Lions extended the margin to 14-11 before the Billikens fought off a match point, but Lindenwood closed out the match, 15-12.
NOTABLES
- Three Billikens recorded double-digit kills for the second time this season. Tea Kalajdzic led Saint Louis with 20 kills, while Tamia Maddox and Ellie Rink each added 15.
- Kalajdzic recorded the second 20-kill match of her career and hit .390
- Brenning recorded her 20th career double-double with 45 assists and 14 digs. She also finished one kill shy of a triple-double, recording nine kills.
- Rink posted her 19th career double-digit kill match and ninth career double-double, finishing with 15 kills and 11 digs.
- Anna Boatner recorded a career-high six kills
UP NEXT
The Billikens are on the road at the Saluki Invitational where they will face Merrimack College on Friday at 3:30 and SIU Carbondale on Saturday at 2:30 PM.
