WHEATON/AURORA, Ill. - The University of Dubuque women's volleyball team faced a challenging weekend as they would play in three games over a two-day span, which would be a tough task as the Spartans would fall in these contests.
 
In the first meeting on Friday against Wheaton College, the Spartans would fall in four sets by a score of 12-25, 25-21, 17-25, 13-25. Pushing hard in those four sets, Emma Powell led the team with 12 kills and 17 digs, while Darby Hawtrey and Ashlee Adler both added eight kills. Kaylynn Murray helped with 20 assists, with Kathleen Messino followed suit with 13. 
 
On Saturday, the Spartans first match of the day against Saint Norbert College ended in a four-set match, with the scores of 13-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-23. UD was close to taking the final two matches, with both sets being within a point or two throughout. Leading the march for the Spartans was Darby Hawtrey with 11 kills, with Emma Powell with 10. Julie May added nine kills in the series along with a team best three blocks alongside Ashlee Alder. Kathleen Messino rounded the Spartans up with 24 assists and 23 digs. 
 
The final match for the Spartans was a 0-3 loss to Aurora University in set scores of 14-25, 13-25, 19-25. The Spartans were led by Emma Powell with 11 kills. Darby Hawtrey finished the series with nine kills, adding a service ace and an assist as well. Kaylynn Murray led UD with 16 assists, with Kate Messino backing her up with nine of her own. Emily Swanson, Abby Smith, and Julie May, along with Murray, posted a block for UD.  
 
The Spartans looked to regain momentum in American Rivers Conference play as they travel to face Simpson College on Friday, October 8^th at 6pm.