CINCINNATI, Ohio – Saint Louis battled through two matches Saturday at the Cintas Center, dropping a three-set decision to Bowling Green before falling to Austin Peay in a five-set thriller. The Billikens move to 4-4 on the season following the two-match day.
Bowling Green 3, Saint Louis 0
SET 1 | Bowling Green 25, Saint Louis 18
The Billikens jumped out to an early 5-3 lead before Bowling Green answered with a 6-1 run to take a 9-6 advantage. Saint Louis stayed within striking distance, cutting the deficit to 13-11 and later 15-12, but the Falcons used a 9-0 run to take control and close out the set, 25-18.
Ellie Rink led the Billikens with five kills in the opening set.
SET 2 | Bowling Green 25, Saint Louis 21
Saint Louis kept things close throughout the second set, with the teams battling to a 12-12 tie. The Billikens then scored consecutive points to take a 14-12 lead, but Bowling Green responded and eventually pulled ahead late. Saint Louis cut the deficit to 24-21, but the Falcons finished off the set, 25-21.
SET 3 | Bowling Green 25, Saint Louis 16
Bowling Green took an early 8-3 lead in the third set before the Billikens responded with a 4-2 stretch to pull within 10-7. The Falcons answered with a 7-0 run to build an 18-9 advantage and held on to take the set, 25-16, and the match, 3-0.
Rink finished with a team-high 14 kills and 10 digs, while
Jetta Brenning recorded 24 assists and eight digs.
Tamia Maddox added six kills, and the Billikens finished with five total blocks.
Austin Peay 3, Saint Louis 2
SET 1 | Saint Louis 28, Austin Peay 26
The Billikens opened the second match with a strong start, building a 9-3 lead behind a pair of kills from Brenning and three kills from Rink. Austin Peay battled back to tie the set at 12-12, and the teams continued to trade points throughout the remainder of the frame. Saint Louis held a 23-22 lead before the Governors tied it again at 24-24. Rink added consecutive kills late, and the Billikens closed out the set, 28-26.
SET 2 | Austin Peay 29, Saint Louis 27
Saint Louis again started quickly, taking a 3-0 lead before Austin Peay responded. The Billikens led 10-8 and later 13-12, but the Governors built an 18-14 advantage. Saint Louis battled back to tie the set and eventually forced another extended finish. The teams traded points late before Austin Peay took the final two points to win, 29-27.
SET 3 | Saint Louis 26, Austin Peay 24
The third set featured another back-and-forth battle, with Saint Louis taking a 13-10 lead midway through the frame. Austin Peay responded to take a 19-17 advantage, but the Billikens continued to fight and tied the set at 23-23. Saint Louis finished the set with three of the final four points, including consecutive points from Rink, to take the set, 26-24, and regain the lead in the match.
SET 4 | Austin Peay 25, Saint Louis 22
Saint Louis held an early 10-8 lead before Austin Peay pulled even at 15-15. The Governors then used a 5-1 stretch to take a 20-16 lead. The Billikens cut the deficit to 21-19 behind a kill and ace from Brenning, but Austin Peay answered to take the fourth set, 25-22, and force a decisive fifth set.
SET 5 | Austin Peay 15, Saint Louis 11
The Billikens scored the opening point of the fifth set, but Austin Peay answered with six straight points to take a 6-1 lead. Saint Louis continued to battle, cutting the deficit to 8-5 and later 12-10, but the Governors closed out the set, 15-11, to take the match, 3-2.
Rink finished with 18 kills, 17 digs and six blocks, while Maddox added 16 kills and 11 digs. Brenning posted 45 assists, 14 digs and four aces, and Jansen recorded nine total blocks. Zigic added 18 digs as the Billikens finished the match with 14.5 total blocks.
UP NEXT
The Billikens wrap up nonconference play with the Missouri Challenge hosted by UMKC on Friday and Saturday.
