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Despite hitting .400 over the first two sets to open up a 2-0 lead in the match score, LMU volleyball (10-4, 1-1 WCC) couldn't close out #6 San Diego (12-2, 3-0 WCC) on Tuesday night in Gersten Pavilion, eventually dropping a heartbreaking five-set match to the Toreros, 20-25, 14-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-11.

With the win, the Toreros are now 2-0 in five-set matches, including having battled back from two sets down in both.

The Lions looked unfazed by the high ranking opposite the net in the first and second, as the Lions hit .444 in the opener behind five kills from Savannah Slattery and three apiece from Sarah Sponcil and Erin Williams. The Lions ran away with the second set, hitting .348 and holding USD to just -.120 hitting. Slattery and Sascha Dominique led the way in the second, connecting for four kills apiece as LMU took what looked to be a commanding 2-0 lead into the locker room.

Slattery finished the match with 16 kills, a block solo and four block assists as LMU registered 12 total team blocks. Dominique also had a standout match, finishing with 15 kills on 27 swings (.407) with two block assists. Seemingly always good for a double-double, Sponcil teamed 13 kills with 13 digs to record her seventh of the season.

Unfortunately San Diego came out strong in the third, winning a hard-fought set by posting three blocks and benefitting from four of LMU's 18 service errors on the night. Dominique tried her best to put the Toreros away, posting six kills on 10 swings, but Lisa Kramer answered with six kills of her own for USD. The Lions and Toreros played to even at 20-20 in that period, but USD managed three straight points to take a 23-20 lead and eventually clinched the set on a kill from Kramer.

Kramer finished the match with a match-high 21 kills while hitting .366. WCC Player of the Week Lauren Schad pitched in 12 kills of her own while hitting .455, as the Toreros finished the match with a .208 team hitting percentage. Not only was she impressive on the attack, Schad also led USD to 13 total team blocks, registering two solos and four block assists.

It was more blocking for USD in the fourth, as the Toreros combined for six team blocks, limiting LMU to just .118 hitting. Kramer kept the attack moving as well, notching six kills on 11 attacks and adding a pair of block assists. Once again it was a tight set, as the two teams found themselves even at 19, but again USD used a late run, this time four straight points to open up a 23-19 lead, to steal the set and force a final period.

Now in a fifth set for the first time this year, LMU's attack proved solid, registering a .438 hitting percentage, but USD was better, hitting .667 in the finale while adding two more blocks to steal the match. LMU played even with USD to 10-10, but three straight kills, including a pair from Kaity Edwards, handed USD the cushion it needed to complete the comeback.

Fueled by the outstanding first two sets, LMU hit .313 as a team receiving sets from freshmen Jessie Prichard and Tess Reid. Prichard posted 27 assists, while Reid added 20.

While there were far too many service errors, LMU did manage eight aces, including two apiece from Kekai Whitford, Nickey Kevorken and Reid.

LMU will return to action on Thursday when it travels to Saint Mary's for a match at 7 p.m.

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