Lainey Roman had a season high hitting-percentage of .474 on her way to nine kills, but the St. Lawrence University volleyball team fell in straight sets to Skidmore in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on Friday evening.

After the first few points of the opening set were close, the Saints used a three-point run to create some separation, forcing Skidmore to use a timeout. The timeout did not work, and the Saints continued their run to make it six-straight and lead 13-6. Skidmore responded with a six-point run of their own to bring the set within one. The scoring continued to be back-and-forth, but a four-point run gave the Thoroughbreds a 22-18 lead. The Saints used a timeout, which worked out as they scored five-straight and took the lead. Skidmore used their second timeout of the set and came out to score the final three points and win 25-23.

The Thoroughbreds used that late momentum in set two, jumping out to a 5-1 lead. The Saints were able to keep the score close, until Skidmore went on a seven to one run to reach set point. The Scarlet and Brown rallied with four straight, but Skidmore took the second set 25-19.

Skidmore took control again in the third set. A few mini runs gave them a 15-6 lead that St. Lawrence would not come back from. They won the final set 25-14.

Julia Giroux had 11 kills to lead the Saints, and Roman finished with nine. Giroux and Maggie Layman each had two service aces, and Lily Snide had 24 assists. Roman finished with 13 digs, and Layman had nine.

Head coach Shelly Roiger
"This loss definitely stings. It seems like every year the playoff picture gains a lot of clarity after we play Skidmore, and unfortunately we didn't get it done tonight. We shut down Skidmore's top two offensive weapons and their third and fourth option stepped up so give them credit. We had some moments where I thought we played as hard as we have all season, but there were too many times when we didn't play intelligently. For those on our roster who have been in the playoffs before, they realize what we are allowing to escape. For those new to college volleyball, they don't have the experience to recognize what they are possibly missing out on. It's a tough mixture right now of finding joy and feeling disappointment. I'm hopeful that we will rebound tomorrow versus Vassar."

Records: St. Lawrence (5-14, 1-4 LL), Skidmore (5-12, 1-4 LL)
Up next: vs Vassar and Kean on October 15^th at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.