NEWPORT, R.I. - The Wheaton College volleyball team dropped a 3-1 (24-26, 25-22, 24-26, 19-25) decision at Salve Regina Thursday night in the Rodgers Recreation Center. 

Wheaton was paced by 13 kills from Claire Cansler, 12 from first-year Nikita Selivan and 11 from Allison Cox. Cansler also ended the night with a match-high three aces. 

The Lyons turned in better attacking percentages than their foe in the opening two frames, while the Seahawks closed out the match with the upper hand. 

Wheaton fell behind early in the opening set, but battled back to take a 9-8 advantage on one of Cansler's aces. The two sides battled point for point the rest of the way, eventually deadlocking at 23-23. A block assist by Selivan and Cameron Mercer earned the Lyons a 24-23 lead, but the Seahawks rebounded to close out the set with a kill by Annie Donahue and Lyon attacking error. 

Cansler opened the second set with a kill which set the tone for the Lyons throughout the remainder of the set. With a 9-8 lead, Wheaton put together a 8-1 run with Selivan, Stephanie Martin, Cox and Cansler all contributing points. Selivan ended the set, 25-22, with a well placed attack. 

The third set began with Selivan opening where she left off, but the Seahawks quickly countered with a 7-3 run. Like the opening set the two sides traded points, tying the contest on eight occasions, before Salve Regina ended things with another kill and Wheaton error. 

After scoring the first point of the final set the Seahawks never let the Lyons get into the contest. Wheaton tied the set four times, but would never hold the lead, allowing a couple significant runs by Salve Regina.  

The Lyons return to the court on Saturday, Sept. 17 for a tri-match that will feature WPI and Bridgewater State. The team will open the day at 11 a.m. with a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) match against WPI. 

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