NORTH CANTON, OH - For the third time this season the Daemen Wildcats couldn't muster enough offense and dropped a 3-0 decision (20-25, 14-25, 18-25) to the Walsh Cavaliers.  The previous two matchups were in non-conference starts, making this American Mideast Conference loss especially hurtful for Daemen who falls to 20-9, 3-2 while Walsh (15-1, 5-1) got back to its winning ways after suffering their first defeat of the season at Point Park last Tuesday.

"This match was uncharacteristic of this group and we will do our best to put it behind us," said Daemen head coach Mark Parisi.  "Walsh obviously feels very confident in playing us, and we haven't given them a reason to think any differently.   They like to intimidate across the net and we continue to let them get in our heads.   We  know that we must have a level of focus that is maintained during every point if we expect to find success.   We will look forward to having them travel to our home gym next month."

Daemen had a strong start on the Cavalier home court taking an early lead in the first set.  After establishing a 16-13 lead, Walsh fought back and ripped off five straight points, aided by some untimely Wildcat service errors, to lead 18-16.  "An undisciplined finish," according to Parisi, allowed Walsh to take the first set 25-20.
 
Daemen couldn't regain the level of play they displayed early in the first set and fell way behind in the second set, 18-5.  The resilient Wildcats fought back throughout the remainder of the set, closing the deficit, but the turnaround started too late.    Walsh took the second set 25-14.    Walsh's momentum continued in the third set and the result was a 25-18 win for the home team.

Walsh's Brittany Morris led all players with eight kills while Kristine Sokol, Julianne O'Donnell and Paige Chandler accounted for seven kills apiece.  Hannah Duran had a match-high 27 assists while Kristen Rohlfs dug out a match-best 14 balls.

For Daemen, a .069 hitting percentage usually spells trouble and that's what they got.  Sophomore Jenn Karan led the team with six kills and junior Joanna Fretthold added five.  Setter Kaley Vazquez contributed 12 assists and Kaitlin Watchey had six blocks.  Katie Auge paced the Daemen defense with 13 digs while Fretthold added 11 and Brittany Anthon totaled nine.  

Next up for Daemen is a home exhibition match on Wednesday night against Niagara College from Welland, ON.  When they get back at it for real, Daemen will play nine consecutive road contests, including four AMC contests, beginning with an important trip to Pittsburgh next weekend where they'll face Carlow (Fri., Oct. 14) and AMC-leading Point Park (Sat., Oct. 15).