(Peru, Neb.) – The Peru State College (PSC) Bobcat volleyball team dropped their third straight Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) game on Saturday as they fell to the host Avila University (AU) Eagles. The Eagles took the game in five sets 25-23, 22-25, 25-20, 14-25, 15-13. With the win, the Eagles move to 8-8 overall and 1-1 in the HAAC. Peru State fell to 2-8 overall and 0-3 in the HAAC.

Having played the last few games without a couple of starters, the Bobcats was faced with the same challenge against the Eagles. With one starter still out, another starter had an academic commitment forcing the 'Cats to go with a slightly different line-up than had been used all season. However, Peru State had opportunities to win and know they are on the verge of capturing their first HAAC win.

Maddy Lister (shown swinging in a file photo) had 17 kills to lead PSC against Avila.	Amanda Gilreath (#7) had 16 assists and 14 digs against Avila. In foreground, #3 Tara Carstens finished with 11 kills against the Eagles. (file photo)

Two Bobcats finished in double figures with kills. Maddy Lister (North Platte) finished with 17 kills to lead the team while Tara Carstens (Lincoln) added 11 kills. Carstens also led the team with four solo blocks and added three block assists, two digs, and one assist.

Courtney Jurek had 20 assists, 13 digs, and eight kills against Avila. (file photo)	Emily Maresh led the Bobcats with 25 digs against the Eagles. Becky Boshart (#2) added 16. In background, #18 Carrie Lierz added eight kills against Avila. (file photo)

Carrie Lierz (Holton, Kan.) and Courtney Jurek (Bellevue) each added eight kills. Lierz added three digs, two solo blocks and one block assist. Jurek, one of the two setters in Peru State's 6-2 offense, managed her eight kills on dumps catching the Eagles off-guard on numerous occasions. Jurek added 20 assists and 13 digs. Amanda Gilreath(Omaha), the other setter in the 'Cats offense, added 16 assists, 14 digs, and three service aces, the most for the team on Saturday.

Ten different Bobcats registered digs on Saturday and were led by Emily Maresh (Central City) with 25. Maresh added two service aces and one assist. Also not previously noted in double-digit digs were Becky Boshart (Wood River) with 16 and Kelsey Monahan (Atkinson) with 13. Rachel Rippe (Johnson) had two solo blocks and three block assists to go with her four kills.

Kelsey Monahan added 13 digs against Avila. (file photo)

The Bobcats will be back in action Tuesday, Sept. 20, when they travel to play York College, a former conference opponent. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, Peru State will travel across the state of Iowa to play in the St. Ambrose University Tournament in Davenport, Iowa. On Friday, the 'Cats will take on Roosevelt University at 6 p.m. and come back and play Kansas Wesleyan University immediately following at 8 p.m. On Saturday, PSC will take on the hosts at 9 a.m. and then play Viterbo University at 11 a.m. The following week, PSC will travel to Des Moines to play Grandview University on Sept. 29. The Bobcats do not return home until Saturday, Oct. 1, when they host Missouri Valley College.


Game Box Score