Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 LIVONIA, MI - The Daemen Wildcats saw their 12-match winning streak come to an end today as the team dropped both its' matches as part of the BLT Sportswear Crusader Classic hosted by Madonna University.  Daemen first fell in a five-set thriller to the host Crusaders (21-25, 26-24, 13-25, 25-22, 10-15), ranked #19 in the latest Tachikara-NAIA National Poll, while Siena Heights took advantage of a gassed Wildcat squad, downing Daemen in straight sets (18-25, 24-26, 20-25).  The losses, Daemen's first since September 8, ironically occur on a day where the Wildcats learned they had received a bid to the USCAA National Tournament.

Daemen let it all hang loose against Madonna as they tried to avenge a 3-0 loss (18-25, 21-25, 17-25) from the teams' last meeting at the Michigan-Dearborn Early Bird Challenge back on August 24.  The Wildcats overcame a .114 team hitting percentage to force the match to five sets, but Madonna, who came up with 98 digs in the match, gutted out the home-court victory.

Daemen got 15 kills from junior Jenn Karan (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park HS) while senior Joanna Fretthold (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda HS) added 13.  

While the Wildcats struggled putting balls away, Madonna wasn't much better, hitting at .170 for the match.  Junior Paige Tilert (Derby, NY/Lake Shore HS) accounted for 27 of the Wildcats' 80 digs in the match.

After that exhausting match, the Wildcats were back it immediately taking on Siena Heights.  The Saints jumped out and took the first set 25-18.  After it appeared Daemen had righted the ship in set two, the Saints mounted a comeback and took the set 26-24.  Then, Daemen committed 10 hitting errors in the third set, attacking at a .029 clip, and fell 25-20.

Karan put down 12 more kills to lead Daemen in a losing effort.

In the positive news of the day, Daemen accepted its' bid to the USCAA National Championships which will be held November 1-4 on the campus of SUNY Canton.  Seedings for the 10-team tournament have yet to be announced by the USCAA National Office.

For now, Daemen's road to redemption begins tomorrow when the Wildcats conclude their participation at the Crusader Classic as they face USCAA #2 Rochester (11:30am) and NAIA #7 Embry-Riddle (FL) (1:30pm).