BLUFFTON, Ohio – Albion College let a 6-3 lead in the fifth set slip away in a five-set loss to Denison University in its final match in the Sommer Spiketacular. Denison won the match 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, 19-25, 15-8.

Albion hit .429 (13 kills and 1 error in 28 attacks) in winning the fourth set. Stephanie Thurner cracked four of her 13 kills as Albion forced the decisive set.

Lauren Outwater knocked down kills on consecutive points and Kristen Beyer served up an ace as Albion held a 4-2 lead in the fifth. Outwater tacked on two more kills as the Britons continued to hold a 6-3 advantage.

Denison ripped off a pair of scoring runs to subdue the Britons.  Leah Reinfranck produced four of her match-high 19 kills during the Big Red rallies.

Albion featured a balanced attack. Outwater finished with 14 kills and three blocks and Halle Thom produced 10 kills and 20 digs.

Earlier Saturday, Heidelberg defeated Albion in three sets (25-20, 25-15, 25-15). Thom collected six kills, while Jessica Konieczny and McKaila Rose added five kills apiece.

Albion will play three matches against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rivals next week, starting with a Tuesday contest at Calvin College.