Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Lauren Randall posted her second double double of the season and Lauren Boldt led the offense with 19 kills, but it wasn't enough as the Marauders dropped both matches of the day to open the Eckerd College Classic in St. Petersburg, Florida.
 
U-Mary took on the Queens University of Charlotte Royals in the first match of the tournament and the contest would be highlighted by missed opportunities.
 
Jumping out to an early lead, the Marauders were able to control most of the first set against the Royals as they held the lead at 22-16 thanks to a balanced attack from Boldt, Randall, and Kelsey Boyd. The Royals would battle back though, as they narrowed the gap to two points with the 23-21 score favoring the Marauders. U-Mary had an opportunity to close out the set when they held the serve with a 24-21 advantage, but couldn't find the hole in the Royals defense.  The Royals would eventually battle back to a 26-28 victory.
 
The Marauders were able to keep it close midway through the second set as they kept the score 10-11 with the lead going to the Royals. Unfortunately, errors became the theme as Queens University went on a 2-11 run to widen the score 12-22 before ultimately winning the set 16-25. The opportunity was there, however, as the Royals had 5 service errors.
 
The third set is when the Marauders would finally strike gold as they jumped out to a 13-4 lead and would not look back. Paige Smith had one ace and Boldt earned two aces during the set as they eventually won 25-20. Randall earned three of her team high 10 kills during the set, Ashley Koppinger aided the effort with four kills and four separate Marauders earned solo blocks.
 
The fourth set was the complete opposite as the Royals opened with a 4-14 run, punctuated by three aces. The Marauders could not find the proper combination from the previous set as they eventually lost 14-25.
 
Boldt finished the match with nine kills, 28 attacks, two aces and one solo block. Randal capped off her double double with 10 kills, 21 attacks, .333 attack percentage, 17 digs, one ace and 1 solo block. Alex Brown continued to highlight her defensive skills as she finished the match with 16 digs.  Janell Finkbeiner and Brianne Murray aided the offensive effort as FInkbeiner finished with 15 assists and Murray finished with 12 assists.
 
After putting the first match behind them, the Marauders looked forward to their game against the tournament host, the Eckerd College Tritons.
 
U-Mary would start off the contest by keeping the score close 11-12, but the Tritons offense would be too much as they closed out the first set 15-25.
 
The Marauders would respond though, as they opened up the second set with a 4-1 lead before finding themselves on the wrong side of a 8-9 match midway through the second set. The Tritons extended their lead 11-16 before the Marauders battled back to a 15-18 score. It would not be enough though as the Marauders would lose 19-25.
 
The final set would spell doom for U-Mary as they found themselves down early 5-16. They would demonstrate their ability to fight back as they closed the gap 13-18 before the Tritons closed out the game 25-17.
 
Boldt finished the second game of the day with 10 kills, 25 attacks and a .280 attack percentage.  Randal continued her superb pay with 8 kills, 23 attacks, .261 attack percentage, and seven digs.  Murray would help the offensive effort with 20 assists.
 
The Marauders will finish the tournament tomorrow with matches against University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, and Chadron State College.
 
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