LAKE WALES, FLA.- St. Thomas (8-9) closed out the Royals Classic with a 1-1 split after a four set victory against Our Lady of the Lake (11-7) by a final score of 3-1 (25-21, 25-27, 25-18, 25-22) on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Bobcats took down the Saints in a match that almost went the distance, and proved to be a competition that would not be given up by either squad.
 
The first set had the Bobcats looking to set the pace as the score line closed with a 25-21 victory. The opening play in the set conveyed back and forth combat from both teams. A run came late in the first when OLLU went on a 4-0 run when the score read 8-5 in favor of STU.
 
With the Bobcats down 13-14, a 7-3 run forced a Saints timeout as STU would come up with the first set win.
 
The second set went to the opposition by a score of 27-25 as the duel was taken to a win by two.
 
The third had the Bobcats explode on a 9-2 run which pushed OLLU into a corner as they needed to call an early timeout.  The opening set contained a Courtney White block, one of her four on the afternoon, three of Kimberly Martino's 48 assists and a kill from three different Bobcats (Carly Durr, Whitney Battoe and Victoria Philpot). An incredible set put the momentum in favor of STU as they looked to seals the victory after a 25-18 set three win.
 
It was the fourth and final set in which St. Thomas and Our Lady of the Lakes would provide a fierce and compact battle for either a win or a five setter. STU would erupt for a 25-22 fourth set final, as Battoe earned seven of her 18 kills as Durr recorded six of her 16 kills in the set
 
Notable numbers for the Bobcats in the match came from Battoe (18 kills, 16 digs), Durr (16 kills), Martino (48 assists, 21 digs) and Haley Bannister (21 digs). As a team, STU would total eight service aces in the match.
 
On the defensive end, White would earn an amazing team-high four blocks (one solo and three block assists), which blended exquisitely with her nine kills.
 
Next up for the Bobcats is a TSC matchup against Keiser on Tuesday, October 10 at 7 p.m. at the Fernandez Family Center.
 
Come out and support as St. Thomas looks to continue its undefeated conference streak!