BELLEVUE, Neb. – The Lindsey Wilson volleyball team battled through a pair of nationally-ranked opponents Saturday on day two of the GoSarpy.com Classic, dropping decisions to No. 21 Montana Tech and hosts No. 18 Bellevue (Neb.).

The Blue Raiders hit just south of .200 on the day and were led offensively by Ola Wyrzykowska and Lara Danesi who each recorded 19 total kills and a double-double.

 
Match One: Lindsey Wilson 0, No. 21 Montana Tech 3

The morning match between the Blue Raiders and the Diggers pushed both sides physically and mentally, as two of the three sets played went past the minimum 25-point threshold.

Neither team led by more than three points in the opening frame, even as Montana Tech closed in on clinching the set, up 23-20, Lindsey Wilson battled back with a four-point swing. However, following a timeout, the Diggers responded with the next three points to take the opening frame, 26-24.

Montana Tech built itself a wider edge down the stretch of the middle set, utilizing a 6-1 run late to go ahead by two sets.

The third frame played out like a marathon and came down to the wire with both teams pushing past 30 points searching for any advantage. A combo of kills by the Diggers' ultimately sealed the set, 35-33, and the match.

Danesi paced the Blue Raider offense and defense with 10 kills and 14 digs for her first career double-double. Wyrzykowska stood out from the service line with four aces.

 
Match Two: Lindsey Wilson 1, No. 18 Bellevue (Neb.) 3

Lindsey Wilson fought hard against the host Bruins, finishing with three attackers in double digits, including Wyrzykowska who added 12 digs for her fifth career double-double.

Bellevue took over the first set despite the Blue Raiders holding an 11-9 edge in total kills, then the visitors turned things around to best the Bruins, 25-23, in the second. Five of Lindsey Wilson's 15 successful attacks in the second frame came off the hand of its middle blockers Savanah Pippin and Elizabeth Moore.

Late surges by Bellevue proved to be the difference in the third and fourth sets as the Bruins defended their home classic.

 
Lindsey Wilson travels home to Columbia for its home opener at 6 p.m. CST on Wednesday, August 28 against Brescia (Ky.).