Siena Volleyball fought competitively against Big East representatives and hosts St. John's in the early match of the Jack Kaiser Classic before dropping a four-setter to the Red Storm on Friday by the scores of 17-25, 18-25, 25-22, 12-25.
 
The Saints showed some bite from its bark, battling back to take the third set behind a team effort.  The first half of the set was spearheaded by strong net play from junior Olga Sawinska, who supplied three kills to help Siena grab a 13-11 advantage. 
 
From there, Siena was picked up by the play of redshirt junior Sina Toroslu and the availability of junior Ece Emrullah to the front row.  While Emrullah had been out of the lineup for virtually all of the first six matches to the season, her return provided a lift. 
 
Toroslu and Emrullah each came up with a pair of key kills while Anny Montano put down a kill to stop a 5-0 Red Storm run to lock the score at 16 all. 

Another Montano kill and a service ace by the redshirt junior from Colombia was part of a 5-1 Siena run that gave them a 23-19 lead. 

Emrullah's kill and a service error by St. John's sealed it. 
 
Siena had trouble putting down kills as a team, putting down 27 as compared to the Red Storm's 51. 
 
Sawinska had eight kills and six blocks, Meghan Johnsson compiled a dozen assists while Emily Wood led with a team-high 12 digs. 
 
In the second match of the day, Siena was defeated in three sets against Loyola (MD) 15-25, 8-25, 18-25. 
 
The Saints (0-8) couldn't find the consistency they were seeking as the team combined for 19 kills against 20 attack errors in the match. 
 
Junior outside hitter Sara Wagner tied a match-high with nine kills. 
 
Kennedy Stevens had nine kills and three aces to lead the Greyhounds (5-4). 
 
Next up, Siena will next play Stony Brook (3-5) in the Jack Kaiser Volleyball Classic on Saturday at 11 a.m.