Box Score

Although LMU dropped a first set for just the fourth time this year, the Lions (11-6, 2-3 WCC) improved to 4-0 in those matches by way of a five-set victory over Gonzaga (11-7, 2-3 WCC) by scores of 14-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-21, 15-9 from the Martin Centre in Spokane, Wash on Thursday night.

Senior Rachelle Suaava had a solid all-around match, collecting a team-high 15 kills with a service ace and four block assists to guide LMU to victory. Three other Lions collected double-digit kills, with Amber Mirabello finishing with 12 to accompany 10 apiece from Jennifer Casillas and Jamie Lea. Mirabello hit .556 in the victory, committing just two errors on 18 swings. Senior Hannah Tedrow dished out 49 assists with seven digs, while Sarah Sponcil registered three of LMU's seven service aces.

Savannah Blinn led all players with 19 kills on 32 swings with just two errors (.531), but only one other Bulldog player registered double-digit kills, with Jordan Gasser collecting 13. Gonzaga hit .350 as a team and registered 11 total blocks, but it was not enough to earn the victory over LMU.

The Lions trailed two sets to one headed into the fourth, but they won a high-powered offensive-centered set by way of a .467 hitting percentage while allowing a .409 clip on the other side of the net. Casillas collected five of her kills in the fourth, while Suaava and Sponcil connected for four of their own, helping LMU to an early 13-9 lead and forcing Gonzaga into a timeout. The Lions continued to push out of the break, extending the lead to 15-10, but the Bulldogs scratched back within two at 16-14 on a block from Kaylie Loewen and Imani Wimbush. Though LMU bent, it did not break, weathering the short storm and eventually reclaiming the five-point advantage at 21-16. The Lions cruised to the fourth-set victory from there, earning the win on a kill from Suaava to force a fifth set.

LMU's serving game proved crucial in the decisive final frame, as the Lions posted three aces, including a pair from Sponcil, en route to taking the match by way of a 15-9 victory. After playing even at 2-2, LMU won four of the next five points to claim a 6-3 lead and force a Gonzaga timeout. Still leading by three at 10-7, LMU received an ace from Kristen Castellanos to take a four-point lead and force Gonzaga's second timeout of the set. A Suaava kill pushed the tally to 12-8 before Sponcil's final ace of the night handed LMU a 14-9 match-point chance. Wasting no time putting the match away, Suaava found the floor for the final time on Thursday night on the ensuing play to hand LMU its second straight WCC victory.

The Lions will look to continue their winning ways on Saturday when they travel to Portland for a Noon match.