ALBION, Mich. – Albion College played two competitive sets with Alma College Saturday, but then the Britons were unable to keep up in the third. Alma escaped Kresge Gymnasium with a 29-27, 25-23, 25-15 victory over the Britons.

Albion forged a tie at 23 in the first set as Kristen Yeager produced a kill and two Alma errors. The Britons had an opportunity to take the set, leading 26-25, but a service error let Alma off the hook. Denied on three previous set points, Alma finally took the early lead in the match when Hannah Guilford knocked down a kill.

Rachel Zawodny served up two aces as Albion surged to a 3-0 lead in the second set. The Britons extended the margin to 12-5 when Lauren Outwater blocked an Alma attack. Albion still led 23-21 when Alma had a service error. Alma rallied to win the set as it scored the last four points on a kill, an Albion attack error and two service aces.

Alma scored the first three points and never trailed in the third set.

Albion hit .256 (13 kills and 3 errors in 39 attacks) in the first set, but it never reached .100 in the second or third. Stephanie Thurner paced the offense with eight kills. Rachel Spencer produced six kills. Zawodny finished with three service aces.

Alma's Guilford led all players with 13 kills.

Albion has two contests remaining. The homestretch begins Wednesday with a 6:30 match at Olivet College.