The Scots Volleyball team continued their 2013 season on Saturday afternoon when they hosted Saint Mary's College at Art Smith Arena. The Scots lost to the visiting Belles 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 22-25, 24-26) and are now 3-4 on the season and 0-3 in the MIAA. Saint Mary's improved to 3-4 in 2013 and 2-1 in the league.

The Belles never trailed in the first set and was able to maintain a four to five point advantage throughout. The Scots did make it 24-21, but Saint Mary's closed out the win on the next play. Conversely, Alma never trailed in the second set and took control after the score was tied at 5-5. The Scots played well and came away with the 25-16 victory.

Set three was the turning point of the entire match. Again, Alma started well and never trailed en route to a commanding 19-11 advantage. However, the visitors found another gear and went on a 12-1 run that gave them the 23-20 lead. The Scots cut it to 23-22 before the Belles scored the final two points to secure the inprobable win, 25-22.

The fourth set again saw the Scots go up early and they were in the lead at 13-9 before Saint Mary's made their push. The Belles tied it at 13-13 and was tied three more times before SMC eventually took their own lead at 20-16.

Alma showed a tenacity of their own and fought back to take a 24-23 advantage and had victory in their sights. However, an Alma attack and error and two subsequent Saint Mary's kills gave the visitors the 26-24 set win and a 3-1 match victory.

Sr. MH Lea Klooster (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) led Alma with 13 kills and 13 digs, while Fr. OH/DS Sasha Laykova (Ternopil, Ukraine/Forest Hills Northern) was next with 12 kills and added 10 digs. Fr. S Mary Dulzo (Novi, Mich./Mercy) paced the Scots with 17 assists while also notching 11 digs.

In addition, Sr. S Erika VanHavel (Mason, Mich./Mason) had 17 assists and seven digs, and Sr. DS/L Jaycee Cole (Alma, Mich./Alma) contributed 10 digs. Also, Sr. MH Rebecca Trosper (Plano, Tex./Lutheran North) had two blocked shots, four block assists and six kills in the loss.

The Scots next play on Wednesday evening when they host Adrian College in a now, very important early season MIAA contest. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.