Mavericks' win streak comes to a halt in Utah

By Journal staff | Saturday, August 25, 2007

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SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — National American University went to a place the Mavericks have rarely gone in recent years — the loss column.

After opening the 2007 NAIA Tournament of Champions at Westminster College with a three-game sweep of the University of Great Falls, Mont., National American suffered a five-game loss to Point Loma Nazarene in its second match of the day.

“It’s been awhile,” NAU coach Todd Lowery said about the loss.

The last time National American lost came in December of 2005, when the Mavericks fell to Missouri Baptist in the quarterfinals of the NAIA national tournament. NAU reeled off 42 straight wins since losing at nationals in 2005, grabbing the 2006 national championship along the way before Friday’s loss.

“We were inconsistent,” Lowery said. “We have a lot of new faces in a lot of positions.”

Lowery feels time will help this group of Mavericks come together.

“We have all the tools,” he said. “We have to get everybody back and used to a new setter. We have the players to put it together. We just have to get them together on the court.”

National American, which was ranked No. 1 in the NAIA preseason top 25, and No. 16-ranked Point Loma traded game wins before the California school took the fifth game for a 31-29, 23-30, 30-24, 22-30, 19-17 victory.

Melissa Boer led Point Loma with 14 kills, and Connie Irwin and Natalie Acklin had 10 each for the winners.

Amanda Bevens totaled 35 set assists for Point Loma. Boer had a team-high 12 digs, followed by Jill Konderik with 10.

NAU hit at a .260 clip against Point Loma. The California club finished with an attack percentage of .084, tallying 47 kills but 35 errors.

Daniela Oliveira led National American with 14 kills. Amanda Silva had 34 set assists. Leslie DaSilva had 11 digs.

Against Great Falls, Oliveira had 14 kills and Thamy Viana had 11 to lead NAU’s attack. Silva had 41 set assists.

National American (1-1) is back in action today. The Mevericks first play Albertson, Idaho, at 12:30 p.m. before playing host Westminster at 2:30 p.m. to close out the two-day tournament.