FULTON, Mo. -  The W Volleyball found the going tough in its St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) opening tri-match. Played at Westminster College, the Owls (2-5, 0-2 SLIAC) were swept by the host Blue Jays, 3-0 (25-11, 25-13, 25-11) and lost to Eureka College, 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-8).
 
Versus Westminster, MUW's attack never got on track, as the Owls hit in a negative number (-.068) for its attack average and managed just 16 total kills in the three sets. Conversely, the Blue Jays hit a hefty .352 for the match.
 
The W was paced by Avery Watts and Amonie Silas, with four kills apiece. Each also had a block to their ledger.
 
The Owls' leading attacker, junior MC Brown, was hele to just two kills. It was the only match this season Brown has been held to single digit kill totals.
 
Libero Bailee Schmitt and setter Hannah Duran ad 14 and 12 digs, respectively. Duran and Schmitt also each served up a pair of aces in the loss.
 
Versus Eureka, the Owls and Red Devils split the first two sets. In set three, MUW built up a 14-9 lead and appeared to be cruising toward a set win. However, EC would win nine of the next 10 points to lead 20-16 and never look back in the third set, before rolling to a dominant victory in the fourth.
 
While posting an improved .180 attack average against Eureka, the Owls could not stop the Red Devils' blazing .365 attack average of their own.
 
Brown returned to form versus EC, amassing a match-leading 15 kills in 41 attempts. Brown also had two blocks and six digs to her credit.
 
Watts added nine kills and a .300 attack average. Madyson McBrayer chipped in seven kills.
 
Setters Madison Wood and Duran had 21 and 15 assists, respectively. Duran served three aces and Wood chipped in two.
 
Schmitt's 11 digs led the back row players.
 
The W will look to snap its four-match skid – and secure its first SLIAC win – next Saturday (Sept. 28) at Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. MUW will also have a rematch versus Westminster at Spalding, as well.