The Wolverines opened the match strong, topping the Saints (RV) in the first set. UM-Dearborn led late in the second, looking to take a 2-0 lead, but SHU rallied to even the match. The Saints continued their momentum the rest of the way, closing the match in four sets. The set scores were 21-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-15.
The loss drops UM-Dearborn to 9-13 overall and 1-10 in the WHAC with three matches left in the 2017 regular season.
Senior Shayla Smalls (SR/Canton, MI) led the offense for the Wolverines with 20 kills, finishing with a .349 hitting percentage. Freshman Gina Giacomini (FR/Plymouth, MI) added 11 kills for UM-Dearborn, while Erin Parrinello (JR/Westland, MI) added six. Sophomore Daniella Barile (SO/Plymouth, MI) closed the contest with a team-high 20 assists and freshman Sabrina Giacomini (FR/Plymouth, MI) added 15.
The Wolverine defense was led by Barile with 14 digs, while Heather Roberts (JR/Flint, MI) and Samantha Nash (FR/Roseburg, OR) each finished with 13. Caitlyn Carlson (JR/Armada, MI) added 11 digs. At the net, Katherine Nealy (JR/Southfield, MI) had a team-high five block assists, while Sabrina Giacomini chipped in with four. Christina Oakley (SR/Novi, MI) recorded one solo block and three block assists.
Siena Heights got 10 kills each from Elizabeth Breton and Christine Tytuki.
The Wolverines play the final road match of the regular season against Madonna University at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Livonia, Mich.
