EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - No. 13-ranked Southern Illinois University Edwardsville watched its 10-match winning streak being halted Saturday in the championship game of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament.
         SIUE was defeated by Lewis 30-27, 18-30, 24-30, 30-25, 15-13. Lewis earned the GLVC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with the win. SIUE also is expected to earn a bid when the 64-team NCAA Tournament field is announced.
         The Cougars, 27-5, and the Flyers, 25-5, split the first four games and sent it to game five both hoping to finish as the league champion. Lewis led 11-9 and 13-11 only to be tied each time. Back-to-back kills by Lewis ended the match and gave the Flyers their first GLVC title since 1992.
         SIUE's Mallory Clements turned in another triple-double with a team-high 18 kills, 48 assists and 19 digs. Kelsey Hubert, Tricia Happe, Kim Potthast and Kate Hofeldt all finished in double figures in kills.
         SIUE also dominated at the net with 19 blocks, including 11 from Hubert.
         The Flyers also had balance on offense. GLVC Freshman of the Year Stephanie Sagat led her team with 16 kills. She was joined in double figures by Charisse Steckling, Sarah McKinney and Theresa Nugent.
         Both teams struggled on offense. SIUE finished with 32 attack errors while Lewis finished with 31.
                  -siue cougars-