After a long weekend playing in a tournament, the Belles needed to regain their energy and their strength before beginning conference play. But two days just wasn't long enough.

The Saint Mary's volleyball team had it's first disappointing conference loss of the season on Wednesday night.The Kalamazoo Hornets came into Angela Athletic Facility with a clean MIAA record. The Belles had a clean record too.

But the Hornets finished last season with a fourth place finish in the MIAA. The Belles had finished seventh.

Kalamazoo proved the stronger team once again and took the match in three games (30-14, 30-26, 30-10).

Saint Mary's made a run in game two, staying with Kalamazoo nearly point to point. But the Hornets finally came out on top.

Without Angie Meyers and Elizabeth Rupright, who led the Belles last season, the Belles struggled. Allison Shevik led with six kills, but attack errors hurt her final percentages. Bridget Wakaruk had 16 assists and Michelle Gary led the defensive effort with 10 digs.

The Belles head to Chicago on Saturday for the University of Chicago Triangular

• SMC SOCCER: Belles post first win of season
  
• SMC VOLLEYBALL: Hornets sting Belles in 3-0 win
  
• SMC Golf: Belles look for first place finish
  
• Room for improvement
  
• Be excited, be enthusiatstic, be cautious
  
• Defensive line has important role against Boilermakers