Box Score FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The Indiana Tech volleyball team suffered a heartbreaking defeat on Wednesday night, losing in five games, 2-3 (25-25, 21-25, 25-14, 20-25, 6-15) to 23rd–ranked Davenport University. The Panthers (20-7, 5-1) showed why they are the No. 23 team in the country as they outlast the Warriors (10-16, 4-2).

The Orange and Black fell behind early in set one, dropping the first three points, but kept the score close, tying several times, the last come at 22-22. That when Tech got back-to-back kills from Katelyn St. Martin and Stacy Nagy before sealing the win on an attack error by the Panthers. Set two was another back and forth affair until the Warriors took an 18-14 lead, however, Tech stalled at 20 and allowed DU back in the match and the Panthers tied the match at one with a 25-21 victory.

In the third set the Warriors dominated after the game was tied at three, the Orange and Black finished the set on a 21-11 run for the 15-14 win. The momentum shifted in the fourth game as the Warriors couldn't close the game after several ties, including 17-17 on a kill by Stacy Nagy. Some costly attack errors down the stretch gave the Panthers the lead and the eventual win.

With momentum on their side Davenport finally showed why they earned the No. 23 ranking as they dominated the final set, winning 15-6, hitting .357 while holding Tech to a -.118 percentage.

St. Martin led the team with 16 kills in the match, despite hitting just .132. Nagy added 11 kills and led the team with a .200 hitting percentage, while Suzanne Taylor chipped in with 10 kills. Kelsey Fitzpatrick led the team with 23 assists with Alexandra Roberts adding 21.

Taylor Kelso led the Warriors defense with 18 digs with St. Martin (16) and Logan Penick (12) each tallying double digit digs as well. Tech also tallied eight blocks, led by four solo blocks and on assist block from Shanice Richards.

Tech held the Panthers to their lowest hitting percentage (.122) since a four set loss to Concordia (Calif.) back on Aug. 23.

The Warriors will return to the court on Saturday, Oct. 19 when they travel to Grand Rapids, Mich. to face No. 21 Cornerstone at 1 p.m.