(Nashville, TN) The Dillard Lady Bleu Devils' season came to an abrupt end on Saturday afternoon, losing to the SUNO Lady Knights 3-1 in the semifinal elimination game of the GCAC Volleyball Conference Tournament in Nashville, Tennessee. 

The Lady Bleu Devils played in this afternoon's semifinal elimination game versus SUNO because of a devastating and heartbreaking 3-2 loss to rival Xavier University on Friday night. If the Lady Bleu Devils would have won the game versus the Xavier Gold Nuggets, they would have played in the championship game on Saturday afternoon. But because of the loss, the Lady Bleu Devils had to quickly regroup and play SUNO for the right to rematch the Gold Nuggets in the GCAC Conference Championship game. 

The Lady Bleu Devils were unable to defeat the Lady Knights, losing 25-22, 22-25, 17-25 and 22-25. 

The Lady Bleu Devils took the first set from the Lady Knights in impressive fashion. The Lady Bleu Devils trailed early on, but battled back to grab the lead from the Lady Knights 12-11. SUNO refused to give up, scoring four straight points to lead 15-12, capitalizing off the Lady Bleu Devils' errors. Following a timeout, the Bleu Devils found their rhythm and scored six straight points to regain the lead 17-16 and hold on for the 25-22 set victory.

In the second set, both teams battled back and forth in what was a close set throughout. Dillard lead 18-15, but were stung by unforced errors, allowing SUNO to regain the lead 20-19 and ultimately hold on for the 25-22 set victory. 

In the third set, the Bleu Devils continued to make unforced errors, unraveling late in the set as the Lady Knights' lead ballooned to 19-10. The Lady Knights continued to capitalize off the Lady Bleu Devils' mistakes and won the set easily 25-17.

In the fourth set, the Lady Bleu Devils played with a sense of urgency, but it was not enough to extend the game. Dillard led the set late 18-12, but SUNO chipped away at the Lady Bleu Devils lead and tied the score 19-19. The Lady Bleu Devils continued to make miscues and the Lady Knights seized the opportunity to close the set and the game out 25-22, ending the Bleu Devils' season. 

Senior Paula Ogbevoen led the Lady Bleu Devils with 16 kills and 11 digs in her final game. Senior Monica Barros De Alcantara finished with 20 assists, 2 kills and 2 aces in her final collegiate game for the Lady Bleu Devils.

(Nashville, TN) The Dillard Lady Bleu Devils wasted no time in beating Philander Smith College 3-0 in the opening round of the GCAC Volleyball Conference Tournament on Thursday afternoon. 

The Lady Bleu Devils will now focus their attention on their high-anticipated matchup against the SUNO Lady Knights at 8:00p.m.

The Lady Bleu Devils were all business from the outset versus Philander Smith, blitzing out to an 8-3 lead in the first set. Dillard remained unchallenged through the set, beating the Lady Panthers in all phases of the game en route to a 25-17 victory. 

In the second set, Philander Smith hung tough against the Lady Bleu Devils, tying the game at 10-10 before a 5-0 run by Dillard with Monica Barros De Alcantara serving all but sealed the set victory 25-19.

In the third and final set, the Lady Bleu Devils seemed to hit their stride and were completely dominating the Philander Smith Lady Panthers. The Lady Bleu Devils led 9-2, executing their offense to perfection and communication as a unit on defense. The Lady Bleu Devils would cruise to an easy 25-10 third set and game victory.

Paula Ogbevoen led the Lady Bleu Devils with 10 kills and 5 digs. All-GCAC Lady Bleu Devil Jessica Goods-Morris had 5 kills and 3 blocks in the victory.

The Lady Bleu Devils will play SUNO in the second round of the GCAC Volleyball Conference Tournament tonight at 8:00p.m in Nashville, TN.