ALBION, Mich. – The Albion College volleyball team fell short in five sets to a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival for the second day in a row.

Richelle Hawkins terminated a point to give Albion a 12-10 lead in the fifth set, but the Britons were unable to finish the match. Alma College walked out of Kresge Gymnasium with a 25-18, 15-25, 29-27, 19-25, 15-13 victory.

Albion started slowly, hitting .083 (eight kills and five errors in 36 attacks) in the first set. The hitting picked up in the second, as Albion cracked 11 kills with just two errors. Albion was good again in the fourth set, producing 12 kills with two errors.

Led by the blocking of Dakota Pelach and Madison Smith, Alma ripped off a five-point run to seize the early lead in the fifth set.

Albion chipped away at the deficit. Taylor Rosenthal knocked down a kill and joined Ami Milligan on a block as the Britons trailed by a point at 8-7.

Errors proved to be too much to overcome at the end, as a bad set and an attack error moved Alma to match point. Madison Smith added the final kill of the day for the Scots.

Lauren Outwater produced her first double-double of the season for Albion, collecting a season-high 14 kills and 11 digs. Taylor Rosenthal added 10 kills and four blocks. Setter Ami Milligan dished out 44 assists and helped the defensive effort with nine digs. Rachel Zawodny served up three of Albion's four aces.

Smith produced 13 kills and two blocks for Alma. Pelach had a fine all-around performance with 11 kills, 22 assists and 19 digs.

Next up for Albion is a Wednesday night date at Hope College.