GEORGETOWN, Texas -- The Loggers put up an impressive fight against No. 16 Illinois Wesleyan, but ultimately fell in three sets to conclude the Southwestern Invitational. 

How it Happened
Both teams traded points to start the match, keeping the score even as the Loggers proved they could hang with a top-20 team in the nation. Skya Favor got things going with back-to-back kills, and an ace from Lauren Ly gave the Loggers the 4-3 edge early. The Titans went on a 7-2 run shortly after that, but the Loggers responded with a 3-0 run thanks to an ace by Randi Rush and a Kill by Makela Pick to tie the match up at 11. Illinois Wesleyan then pulled ahead 18-13, but the Loggers responded again, pulling the match within one. A 6-2 run, thanks to aces by Erin Fagan and Samantha Keightley, put the Loggers up late, giving them a 23-22 lead. The teams traded points, with the Loggers just one away from securing the first set. A 3-0 run ultimately gave the set to the Titans in overtime, as Illinois Wesleyan took the first set 26-24. 

The second set was nearly identical to the first. Both teams traded kills and aces to start the match, as the Loggers took an early 7-6 lead. A series of runs by both teams ensued, as the Loggers tied it up thanks to a kill by Mackenzie Leith to make it 19-19. An absolute battle ensued, as the teams traded kills back and forth. The Titans took the lead 23-22, but back-to-back kills by Maddie Badger and Leith put the Loggers one point away yet again. The Titans battled back, but another kill by Leith and an ace by Rush gave the Loggers a 27-26 advantage. A 3-0 run by the Titans squashed the Loggers' chances, as the Loggers suffered a tough 29-27 second-set loss. 

The Loggers hung in there in the third set, going down 5-2 early, but responding with five points in a row to make it 8-6. An attack error on IWU put the Loggers up 14-13, but that was their final lead of the set. The Titans finished on a 7-1 run, handing the Loggers yet another defeat. Puget Sound battled hard, but ended up dropping the third set 25-19. 

Top Performers
Leith provided solid numbers for the Loggers, leading the team with 10 kills. Amelia Reed picked up three service aces, and Randi Rush finished with 24 assists. 

Coach's Thoughts
"We took No. 16 Illinois Wesleyan to the limit with two narrow overtime 2-point set losses ... 24-26, and 27-29 ... making the difference," said Loggers head coach Mark Massey. "They are a legit national team, and we went toe-to-toe with them the whole way. Our target serving was exceptional. Makela Pick is starting to assert herself on the right side, a new position for her. Our defense was super-scrappy, and they really struggled to handle our Middles. DS Amelia Reed had a breakthrough weekend in her first starts carrying significant passing load. Each team we played this weekend gave us an entirely different challenge ... great prep for our California trip next weekend, and the start of NWC play after that." 

What Happens Next
The team travels to California for the Cal Lu Fornia Invitational. They take on Chapman, Claremont-Mudd-Scrips, and Redlands on September 12-13th, and look to bring home positive results as they gear up for Northwest Conference play.