MIAMI GARDENS, FLA.- St. Thomas (15-11, 12-1 TSC) dropped an intense five setter (18-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-14, 15-17) against conference rivals Webber International (21-5, 13-2 TSC) in a match that capped the amazing 12-0 perfect Sun Conference run.

The Bobcats also commemorated the four graduating seniors on the team (Kimberly Martino, Kelli Kosydor, Carly Durr and Whitney Battoe). The seniors, and the rest of the team, came out to play.

An incredible team effort and showing came out of this tough loss. With the first two sets dropped, STU needed a comeback and just when the Warriors thought they had it, STU would bounce back and push for the two straight set victories to force the fifth decisive set.

In the first two sets, seniors Martino and Battoe really exploded and brought the fight to the Warriors. The two-time Sun Conference Setter of the Week (Aug. 28 & Sep. 4), Martino, earned four kills, 22 assists, five digs and one block in the opening two sets while outside hitter and Sun Conference Attacker of the Week (Sep. 25) Battoe, registered eight kills, two service aces, 11 digs and one block in the dropped sets.

The play from each of these Bobcats would pick up as the match went on but the star of the match was Durr, who recorded a career-high 25 kills in this match, with 19 of them coming in the final three sets of play.

In the third set, STU and WIU jostled for the lead as the set produced seven ties. As the set reached its end, a 7-3 run capped off the victory. The final three plays of the third set, one in which the Bobcats needed in order to ensure the match would go on, revolved around Martino, Durr and Battoe. With the score at 23-19 in favor of STU, Battoe and Martino would link up for a thunderous point. The very next play had both Courtney White and Durr join forces and block an attack from the Warriors. The final point of the set had Martino and Durr work together for an electrifying kill as set four was forced as the score line closed at 25-19.

The fourth set brought yet another incredible run from the Bobcats as the matches highest run, 13-3, would bring STU and Webber from a tied 8-8 score to a controlling 21-11 lead.

St. Thomas would ultimately win the fourth set 25-13.

The fifth and final sudden death set had WIU pull out with the victory, which resulted in STU's first TSC loss.

Although the Bobcats lost its first match in conference play, the team still remains number one in the conference and looks to continue its competitiveness in The Sun Conference as hosting the playoffs is still in the mix.

Notable numbers on the night came from senior outside hitter Durr with 25 kills, three digs and one block while her "twin" Battoe helped in the offensive efforts with 18 kills, two service aces, 27 digs and two blocks. Martino registered four kills, 52 assists, two service aces, 16 digs and two blocks.

On the defensive end, White earned 11 kills, three digs and four blocks. Haley Bannister recorded one service ace and 25 digs.

Next up for the Bobcats is a home conference match on Tuesday, October 31 against Warner at 7 p.m. at the Fernandez Family Center.

Come out and support as St. Thomas looks to scare the Royals out of the building Halloween night.

Let's Go Bobcats!