YORK, Neb. – The York University volleyball team lost a hard-fought 3-2 match to Ottawa Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers are now 12-19 overall, including 2-8 in KCAC action.

Head coach Irick Gardner's team was paced by Brianna Lemke's 19-kill effort. Emma Kerley notched nine kills while Jai Dotson accounted for eight kills. Kaylee Weigel chipped in six kills in the loss.

Kensey Clifton had a double-double with 27 assists and 11 digs while Meadow Nusbaum added 20 assists.

Defensively, Olivia Romero had 23 digs while Valentina Jimenez garnered 14.

Leading 14-12 in the first set, Brown added a point before Lemke slammed home two passes. Up 17-13, Dotson added a kill. Lemke and Kerley got into the action before Jassania Joseph blocked an attempt. Ottawa pulled within three at 23-20, but Joseph answered with a kill. Two plays later, Dotson finished off the frame with a kill.

Trailing 2-1, the Panthers tied the contest in the fourth stanza. Holding a 16-14 lead, Joseph added a kill. Amber White and Lemke chipped in points for a 19-14 edge. Weigel's kill pushed the margin to 23-20. Back-to-back errors gave York a 25-21 victory, forcing a fifth set.

Kerley gave York a 7-6 lead in the final frame. Down 10-9, Lemke knotted the score. After a point from Lemke tied it at 11-11, an error gave the Panthers a 12-11 margin. Two plays later, Lemke tied it at 13-13 on a kill, but Ottawa scored the final two points for the 15-13 win.

For the match, York totaled 55 kills and hit .210. The team dished out 53 assists and served up 10 aces. The squad also registered 81 digs.

The Panthers return to action Wednesday when they play at Bethel College at 7 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at Yorkpanthers.com.