JOLIET, Ill. --- The University of St. Francis women's volleyball team had the early momentum in each of its two matches at its own Big Dogs Classic on Saturday, but could not maintain it in falling to University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) 21-25, 25-12, 24-26, 25-18, 15-8 and Spring Arbor University (Mich.) 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-17 at the Pat Sullivan Center.

The Saints' best chance at gaining their first win of the season came in the opener, where they won the first set and held a 2-1 advantage going into the fourth set before Cumberlands rallied.

In the two matches combined, there were only six lead changes on the day.

Gabriela Oliveira topped the offensive charts for the second day in a row with 32 kills.  Desiree Anderson collected another 23.  Setting things up was Kaylie Sippel with her 69 assists.  She also had a team-high four aces.

Defensively, Talia Messana authored 12 digs in each end of the twibill.

Match 1: Cumberlands def. USF 21-25, 25-12, 24-26, 25-18, 15-8
The Saints led from start to finish in Set 1, opening up an 8-0 lead at the beginning of the contest.  Cumberlands (4-4) would battle to within two points late before USF prevailed.

In Set 2, it was Cumberlands that jumped out on top 13-5 at the start and maintained no less than a six-point lead the rest of the set.

The third set featured multiple runs by both clubs.  The Saints overcame a 16-12 deficit with a 6-1 run fueled by a pair of Oliveira kills.  Cumberlands answered right back with the next four points to regain the lead at 21-18 only to have USF respond with five straight, including four on Oliveira kills.  A tie at 24-all ensued before two attacking errors by Cumberlands did the Patriots in.

Cumberlands got things back even in Set 4, opening with eight of the first 11 points and never allowing the Saints within three from that point forward.  The Patriots then used nine of the final ten points in Set 5 to steal the victory.

Oliveira totaled a team-high 14 kills, while Sippel produced 38 assists, 13 kills and three aces.  Anderson notched her first double-double of the season with 13 kills and 10 digs.

Match 2: Spring Arbor def. USF 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-17
There were no lead changes and only two ties in the final match of the day with the team that gained the early lead maintaining it throughout.  That was the story for the Saints
in Set 1, where they opened up an 8-3 advantage behind three Oliveira kills.  That lead eventually swelled to 21-10 before USF held off a late charge by the Cougars.

Spring Arbor (3-5) scored six of the first seven points and 13 of the first 19 in Set 2 with USF never getting closer than four points the rest of the way.  The Cougars also held the lead throughout – with the exception of a 3-3 tie – in Set 3, despite the Saints getting close on multiple occasions.

The guests dominated in Set 4, building a 12-5 lead at the start and never letting the Saints get closer than six points the rest of the match.

Oliveira totaled a match-high 18 kills, while Abby Sippel led the defense with her 17 digs.

Notes: Oliveira finished the weekend registering four straight double-figure kill efforts and boasts 56 for the season, or an average of 3.5 per set … Messana's 12 digs in both contests were career-best marks … Kylie Kany and Sarah Schmidt made their first appearance as Saints on Saturday … USF opens Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference play on Thursday when it hosts Trinity Christian College at 7 pm.

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