The Beloit College volleyball team split a pair of matches in their first outing in front of the Buccaneer faithful in Flood Arena this season Saturday afternoon. The Bucs played in their third consecutive five-setter to open the day, falling to Saint Mary's College (IN) 3-2 (25-20, 25-14, 19-25, 12-25, 15-10) before topping Alverno 3-1 (25-22, 25-16, 23-25, 25-17). 

The Buc block came to life Saturday with Beloit registering 16 blocks in the two matches including a 10-5 advantage in the first match of the day against SMC. Beloit's scrappy defense and tough serve approach kept them in the match against the Belles. The Bucs out-dug SMC 101-90 and posted a couple more service aces in the contest. 

Offensively, Isabel Conchillo Martinez led the way with 16 kills adding four block assists. Regina Guehlstorf hammered down 15 kills and partnered with her teammates on four blocks. Jada Daniel was the most efficient at the net hitting .412 in the match with nine kills in 17 attempts while committing just two errors. 

Katrina Sanchez put the pressure on the opposing defense in serve-receive with four aces adding a match high 35 digs. Abbie Schmidt and Cora Linos shared the setting responsibilities combining to dish out 42 assists. 

Beloit put together their best offensive showing of the season in match two Saturday. The Bucs hit .303 including a phenomenal .438 with 15 kills in 32 attempts with a single error in the second set against Alverno. 

Once again it was Conchillo Martinez and Guehlstorf leading the way at the net as the pair combined for 30 kills. Guehlstorf tallied a match-high 16 while hitting .448 adding five block assists in the contest. 

Sanchez added to her dig total on the day leading the team with 21 while Schmidt and Linos picked up 44 more assists. Angela Donath put the pressure on from the service line with three aces in the match.