EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Lindenwood women's volleyball team (8-10, 4-6 OVC) suffered a 1-3 loss at SIUE (12-11, 7-5 OVC) in Edwardsville on Tuesday evening. The defeat comes despite the Lions recording more points, more kills, and a higher team hitting percentage than the Cougars in the match.

Match Overview
Lindenwood led by as many as three points in the opening set, taking a 12-9 lead behind after a 4-1 run that included a pair of block assists by Faith Atkins. However, SIUE went on a 5-1 run out of a timeout to recapture the lead and the Lions were never able to regain the advantage, dropping the set 25-19. Ashley Geluck led LU in the frame with five kills on a .250 hitting percentage, including four straight terminations to begin the match.

Geluck started hot again in the second set, recording the Lions' first three kills and a service ace as they got out to an early 7-3 lead, forcing SIUE into another timeout. The reset was again effective, with the Cougars surging ahead with a 6-1 run before another pair Atkins blocks and Geluck kill swung the pendulum back in the Lions' direction.

After a couple more lead changes, the Lions went on a 6-2 run to grab a 20-17 lead, but SIUE responded with a 4-0 run of their own to pull back ahead 21-20. Lindenwood was able to tie the score twice more in the set, but fell just short 25-23. Geluck led Lindenwood again with five kills in the frame, bringing her match total to 10 through two sets. The Lions had four blocks in the set, with Atkins and Jade Roth both recording a pair.

The Lions used a 9-0 scoring run that featured three aces from Geluck and two more block assists from Roth to open up a 12-5 lead in set three before eventually building their advantage to as many as 11 points. The Cougars regrouped for a 8-0 run that cut their deficit to just three, but the comeback was stifled by a Richey kill and Roth ace before a SIUE attack error allowed LU to take the set 25-19.

The Lions hit .200 in the frame, and after recording six service errors through the first two sets, had just one service error with four total aces in the third set.

In set four, SIUE jumped out to a 4-1 lead before a 3-0 spurt by LU capped off by Ashley Geluck's 14th kill of the match tied the score. However, the Lions were unable to sustain the momentum, and following an 9-2 SIUE run that included a pair of challenges that did not go LU's way, Lindenwood trailed 13-6.

Lindenwood was able to cut their deficit to three, but SIUE regained firm control with a 5-2 run taking the set 25-20 to win the match.

Ashley Geluck tied her career high with 18 kills on .361 hitting percentage, adding four service aces and a block assist to run her scoring total to a career-high 22.5.

Meanwhile, Amelia Thro led the match with a career-high 42 assists while Dana Grib posted a match-high 19 digs.

Next Up
Lindenwood returns to Hyland Arena this weekend to take on Western Illinois in a pair of key conference matchups. Match one is set for Halloween night at 6:00 p.m., followed by match two at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.