AVE MARIA, Fla. - St. Thomas (16-3, 4-0 TSC) dropped only their second set of conference play to Ave Maria (12-8, 1-4 TSC), but ultimately bounced back to take the match in four (23-25, 25-18, 25-14, 25-15).  The Bobcats were led offensively by Samantha Garza's 13 kills.  Dana Nowaczyk continued her stellar play at setter, topping last night's performance with 47 assists on the evening.  Jordan Wiese was again stout on the defensive end with 13 digs.

St. Thomas looked sluggish in the early goings as the Gyrenes got off to a quick start.  Trailing 17-9, the Bobcats finally began to show signs of life.  Starting with a Lenicia Tyson kill, St. Thomas would go on to outscore Ave Maria 14-7 over the next series of exchanges to bring the score within one.  The Bobcats momentum seemed poise to lead them to an improbable comeback, but the Gyrene's Veronika Garcia found Lexy Smith for set point, giving them a 25-23 victory in the first.

From the second set onwards, St. Thomas would look more like themselves, executing with the zeal they displayed throughout their surge in the first.  The script would flip entirely as this time it was the Bobcats getting off to the hot start.  Their largest lead came via a Tyson kill, which gave St. Thomas an early 9-1 lead.  The Gyrenes inability to string together a set of points paved the way for a comfortable 25-18 Bobcat victory in the second.

Knotted at one set apiece, St. Thomas would look to create some separation in the third.  With the score even at seven, the Bobcats outscored the Gyrenes 18-7 throughout the remainder of the frame.  As in the second, Garza delivered set point.

The Bobcats momentum would spill over into the fourth.  Leading 10-8, St. Thomas racked up four consecutive points to bust open the set.  They managed to top that with a 5-0 run to clinch the match with a 25-15 victory in the final.

Garza led the offense with 13 kills, three solo blocks, and three block-assists.  Carly Durr and Tyson were tied for second with 12 kills, and Whitney Battoe followed up last night's performance with another 11 kills.  Nowaczyk's fingerprints were all over this one.  In addition to her 47 assists, she made her presence felt on the front line with a solo block and two block-assists.  She also helped out on the defensive end with seven digs.  

The Bobcats take a quick break from Sun Conference play as they head back home for a three-game home stand.  Up next are the Point Park Pioneers on Wednesday, October 7th.  First serve is set for 7 P.M. E.T. at the Fernandez Family Center for Leadership.