Joliet, Ill. - The University of St. Francis women's volleyball team started its 2024 campaign on a tough note as it fell twice in the opening day of its annual Big Dogs Classic at the Sullivan Center on Friday.

USF (0-2) started the day with a 3-1 loss against (RV) Rocky Mountain College (17-25, 25-17, 25-15, 25-22), before coming up short in a five-set, back-and-forth defeat against Rochester Christian University (22-25, 25-21, 15-25, 28-26, 15-13).

University of St. Francis vs. Rocky Mountain College

The Fighting Saints started set one strong against a talented Rocky Mountain College team (3-1), who is currently receiving votes in the NAIA preseason coaches' poll. In the set, the Saints jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead via help from four kills and three service aces.  RMC followed the scoring outburst with four straight points of its own before a string of point-swapping ensued.  The Saints were able to break away later on in the set with a six-point run that would help pave the way to a 25-17 final score.  

Rocky Mountain out-hit the Saints in sets Nos. 2 and 3 with .400 and .387 attack percentages, respectively, compared to USF's .219 and .171 marks.  USF looked to retaliate in set No. 4 as the score stayed even early at a 6-6 standoff.  Attacking errors and poor service execution would be the difference in the outcome, however, as the Bears took advantage of the free points that were given to them to eventually pull ahead with a 25-20 showing to close out the match.

University of St. Francis vs. Rochester Christian University

Attacking errors would unfortunately find their way into the Saints' second match of the day, as well.  USF and Rochester Christian (1-4) played an even game in set No. 1 with both teams registering 14 kills apiece.  Rochester would fight its way back from a six-point deficit and tie the score at 22-all, but after a RCU attacking error, junior Cadence Wodrich would connect for two high-energy kills to hold off the Warrior attack and give the Saints the 1-0 lead.

Both teams struggled to find their groove in set No. 2 as points were traded off errors throughout the affair.  USF would make eight attacking errors in as many chances as 15 points were handed to the Warriors in total through misplayed opportunities.  The Saints would bounce back strong in dominating fashion in set No. 3 with strong defense and a more consistent offensive approach, taking a 2-1 lead over the Warriors with a 25-15 score.

Confident momentum soon slipped away though, in set No. 4 with Rochester edging out the Saints 28-26.  St. Francis looked to be in a promising position to close out the match after pulling away to a 23-19 lead.  Rochester, however, would not go down easy, forcing the Saints to take a time out after scoring three straight points.  Four of the last six Warrior points would be awarded through USF errors to force a fifth-set faceoff.  When all was said and done, the Saints would fall to the Warriors with a final match score of 3-2.

 INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Senior Desiree Anderson led the day in kills (31) and service aces (11)
• Senior Kaylie Sippel finished with a combined 35 assists
• Junior Cadence Wodrich was credited with seven solo blocks
• Freshman Ann Simon led the team in digs on the day with 35

 
UP NEXT:
St. Francis will play again on Saturday in the final day of the Big Dogs Classic.  USF will meet Bluefield College (Va.) at 9:00 am, followed by a showdown with Mount Mercy University (Iowa) at 11:00 am.

You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.