CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Sacred Heart University women's volleyball team concluded play at the Buc Dome Invitational, hosted by Charleston Southern, with a setback against Western Illinois on Saturday morning in Charleston, S.C.

With 26 assists against the Leathernecks, Gaby Zovko crossed the 1,000-assist plateau in her impressive career. The sophomore needed just 39 matches to get to 1,000 assists, maintaining a 7.25 per set average for her career. 

Camryn Luginbuhl made the most of Zovko's helpers with a team-leading 12 kills. Miliani Villarreal excelled on the other side of the ball with a match-leading 17 digs. 

Records:
Sacred Heart: 4-8
Western Illinois: 6-5
 
Top Performers:
Camryn Luginbuhl: 12 kills, 6 digs, 2 aces
Gaby Zovko: 26 assists, 3 digs
Miliani Villarreal: 17 digs  

How It Happened:
Following a 25-15 defeat in the first set, the Pioneers began the second by storming out to a 10-3 lead behind an 8-0 run. Cristina Montanez tallied three kills and a block in the surge. WIU slowly started to eat away at the lead, taking the advantage with a 7-0 surge in the latter half of the frame. 

It was SHU's turn to start chipping away, as a 3-0 run saved a trio of set points to tie the score at 24-all. The teams stayed tied at 25-25, but the Leathernecks scored the next two points to secure a 27-25 win. 

A 5-0 run in the third again put the Pioneers ahead early at 8-3. Peyton Plant sparked the run with a pair of aces, while Allison Murray chipped in back-to-back kills. Mini runs by both teams helped SHU maintain the advantage, holding an 18-14 lead late in the set. Unfortunately for Sacred Heart, an 11-1 spurt gave WIU a 25-19 win and a three-set victory in the match. 

Up Next:
The Pioneers begin their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) slate on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Manhattan at 4 p.m.