IMMACULATA, Pa. - The Immaculata University women's volleyball team played an aggressive first set to take the opener, 25-21, but visiting Misericordia battled back to take the next three sets to come away with the non-conference victory Thursday night, 3-1. Olivia Zdradzinski recorded a season-high 23 assists in the effort, while Sara Desmond added 23 digs.

Thursday night's loss concludes the Mighty Macs' non-conference home schedule.

HOW IT HAPPENED
-The Macs fell behind early in the first set, but battled back with a 6-0 run to take their first lead of the night at 7-5. The Cougars fought back to knot the set at eight apiece, but another Mighty Mac run stretched the lead out to five on a pair of Madi Curley kills and a Shelby Belk ace.
-IU was unable to run away with the set, allowing the Cougars to pull back even at 21. However, kills from Curley and Jade Rindock paired with a couple of Cougar errors gave the Macs the set win, 25-21.
-The Macs held a one-point lead early on in the second set, but the Cougars were largely in control in an attempt to even the match. Down 20-10, the Macs went on a 6-0 run to get within four but could not complete the comeback as Misericordia took the final five points of the set.
-Following a 25-12 loss in the third set to break the 1-1 tie, the Macs jumped out to an early lead in the fourth with their backs against the wall. Misericordia fought back to even the score but was unable to take an outright lead as the two sides became knotted at 11-all.
-The Cougars took off on a 7-1 run to take an 18-12 lead, but the Macs hung around as Misericordia struggled to put the match away. Belk provided a pair of kills during a 3-0 IU run to cut the deficit to four at 24-20, but the Cougars took the final point and the match.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
-Kills: Curley 10, Belk 8
-Aces: Passalacqua 2
-Blocks: Belk/Rindock/Zdradzinski 2
-Assists: Zdradzinski 23
-Digs: Desmond 23, Zdradzinski/Passalacqua 11

UP NEXT
Immaculata (3-14, 0-3 Atlantic East) travels to Wesley Saturday for a tri-match against the host Wolverines and Trinity (D.C.).