The Canisius volleyball team dropped two matches on the final day of the Billiken Invitational at Saint Louis University. The Golden Griffins lost in four sets (25-18, 19-25, 12-25, 19-25) to the host Billikens and then fell in five sets (15-25, 25-23, 26-24, 20-25, 12-15) to Omaha.

"After finishing the most competitive non-conference schedule in program history, we are disappointed with our overall record, but feel that we've made tremendous improvements throughout the past three weeks," Canisius coach Cathy Hummel said. 

Saint Louis 3, Canisius 1

Canisius won the first set, taking control with a 7-1 run to go up 17-11. The Golden Griffins hit .462 in the set, including four kills on six attempts from junior Rachel Kline. The Billikens came back and evened the match at one set apiece, using a 6-1 run to take control of the second set.

The Billikens (7-3) jumped out to a 12-3 lead en route to easily winning the third set. In the fourth set, a Saint Louis attack error tied the score at 14-14, but the Billikens won the next three points and never let Canisius get closer than two points the rest of the way.

Kline led Canisius with 10 kills as five Golden Griffins posted six kills in the match. Junior Grace Streicher had 29 assists while senior Emily Litwin added 16 digs.

Omaha 3, Canisius 2

The Mavericks (4-5) easily won the first set before Canisius won two tightly contested sets in a match that featured 33 ties and 10 lead changes. Canisius trailed 20-18 in the second set before closing out the set on a 7-3 run, capped by a kill from sophomore Jacklyn Malusa. The Griffs trailed 20-17 in the third set before using a 7-3 run to make it 24-23 on a kill from junior Lauren Siebert. After trading side-outs, the Griffs went up 2-1 in the match on a kill from Kline.

Omaha won the fourth set and jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the fifth set before Canisius made a run. A 7-2 spurt, including two kills and service ace from Kline, cut the deficit to 12-11. Omaha regained control by winning the next two points en route to closing out the match.

Kline posted her fourth double-double of the season with 14 kills and a career-high 20 digs. Streicher had her third double-double of 2014 with 39 assists and 12 digs. Malusa added five blocks while Litwin had 23 digs, as five Golden Griffins had at least 11 digs in the match.

Canisius (0-9) opens its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference schedule next weekend with two road matches. The Golden Griffins take on Marist College on Saturday, with match time in Poughkeepsie set for 1 p.m.

Notes: Streicher earned All-Tournament Team honors... Canisius played Saint Louis and Omaha for the first time in program history… Canisius has won all three sets this season that have gone to extra points, which have all been by the score of 26-24… Canisius has four losses this season in five sets.