SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — D'Youville fell to Slippery Rock 3-0 on Tuesday, dropping the match by set scores of 18-25, 27-29 and 19-25.
The Saints matched Slippery Rock with 41 kills but struggled with attack errors, finishing with 22 compared to the Rock's eight. D'Youville recorded 50 digs and eight service aces, while Slippery Rock held an 8-3 advantage in total blocks and hit .327 as a team.
D'Youville battled throughout the opening set after falling behind early. Cameron Ulinski led the Saints with four kills in the frame, while Madeline O'Brien added three kills with Ashley Ballou assisting on each. The Saints also recorded blocks from Giselle Ramirez, O'Brien and Ballou, but Slippery Rock pulled away to take the set 25-18.
The second set proved to be the closest of the match, with D'Youville holding leads of 24-22 and 26-25 before Slippery Rock rallied to win 29-27. Ulinski delivered key kills to keep the Saints in front late and tied the set at 27-27. Earlier, consecutive service aces from Ulinski helped D'Youville build a 21-16 advantage, but the Rock secured the final two points to take the set.
The Saints continued to compete in the third set, cutting an eight-point deficit to 21-19 with a 6-0 run. Giselle Ramirez helped fuel the rally with three service aces during a stretch of five consecutive service points, while Ulinski added a block and a kill. Slippery Rock answered with four straight points to close out the set, 25-19, and complete the sweep.
Ulinski paced D'Youville with 15 kills, four service aces and 20 points. Ballou distributed 23 assists and added nine digs and a solo block, while Angelyn Jaramillo led the Saints defensively with 13 digs. Gabrielle Dials contributed seven kills and 10 digs.
Up next, D'Youville returns home for a conference matchup against Molloy on Saturday, Oct. 17th at noon.
