WAVERLY – In an Iowa Conference clash, Wartburg College narrowly missed a home league win after visiting Loras College of Dubuque reeled off five straight points to win the fifth set Sept. 22.

The Knights (10-6 overall, 1-2 IIAC) bookended set one and four wins (25-23, 25-19) around Duhawk victories in the second and third sets (25-17, 25-23). The final set went back and forth early, but the home side built up a 12-10 lead. At that point, Loras senior middle blocker Katie Russell served up five straight points to decide the outcome.

Coach Jennifer Walker’s team showed strong signs. A .241 attack percentage in the fourth set forced the ultimate decider, and the attacking combination of sophomore outside hitter Britlyn Sieck (Fayette) and junior middle hitter Kamille Van Natta (Readlyn) combined for 31 kills. Van Natta completed a 16-kill, .222 attack percentage and four block assist night, while Sieck ended with 15 kills, a .211 attack percentage and four block assists.

Loras (11-4, 3-0 IIAC) went to the underclasswoman duo of outside hitter Reagan Riley and middle hitter Brittney Westermeyer. Riley had 15 kills and a .244 attack percentage, while Westendorf turned in 15 kills and a .375 attack percentage.

Wartburg breaks from competition until next weekend’s 2010 Iowa-Minnesota Conference Border Battle. The Knights face St. Olaf College of Northfield, Minn., and the host Blazers of the College of St. Benedict of St. Joseph, Minn., Friday, Oct. 1, and then take on Concordia College of Moorhead, Minn., and St. Thomas University of St. Paul, Minn., Saturday, Oct. 2.