IVER FOREST, Ill. -- The Alverno College women's volleyball team suffered a 3-0 defeat to Dominican University in Northern Athletics Conference play on the road, falling to 0-8 on the season on Thursday.

The Inferno (0-2 NAC) fell behind the curve early in the match, dropping the first set 25-9, and were never quite able to hit their stride against the Stars, posting 25-13, 25-10 losses in the second and third sets.

"We didn't play smart tonight," said Alverno head coach Crystal McClure. "We were competitive and managed to get a touch on almost every ball, but when it came down to getting the ball over the net and in, we simply weren't smart about it. Kim (Reuter) did a great job of hustling for every second ball and was able to make it attackable, but we couldn't put it away offensively."

Sophomore outside hitter Ashley Graham (Cudahy, Wis.) led the Inferno on both offense and defense in the contest, knocking down six kills and coming up with eight digs. Reuter (Franklin, Wis.), a junior setter, had 12 assists in the match.

Alverno will look to regroup in time for this weekend's Buc Blast Tournament, hosted by Beloit College. The Inferno will face the host Buccaneers and William Penn University on Friday at 4 and 6pm, respectively, followed by a pair of matches with Northland College and fellow NAC foe Concordia University Wisconsin on Saturday at 10am and 12pm, respectively.

"This weekend we are going to have to mix practice and play within the matches ahead of us and learn as we go," McClure said. "By no means will it be easy, but we'll have to use it as a learning tool and keep our focus while we work through the ups and downs."