ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Villanova women's volleyball team was defeated by Alabama in five sets at the Kristen Dickmann Memorial on the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy.

The Wildcats won the first two sets but couldn't hold on to upset the Crimson Tide who were receiving top 25 votes this week.

Head coach Josh Steinbach on the loss, "It was a well played match by us really until the fifth set. Give credit to Alabama, they steadied themselves in the third and fourth. I thought we had some chances in the third to close it out, but just couldn't seem to make the one play we needed here or there."

Freshman right side hitter Sanaä led the Wildcats with 14 kills. It was her third game in a row with double digit kills.

Three other Wildcats had double digit kills including Junior middle blocker Allie Olsonoski who had a season high 12 kills, freshman outside hitter Clare Delaplane with 10 and senior middle blocker Amanda Pedersen-Henry with 10 kills.

Junior setter Emma Decker had a season-high 47 assists for the Wildcats.

In the opening set, Alabama led 10-7 and then Villanova went on a 7-1 run to make it 14-11 Wildcats. Villanova would continue to lead throughout the set to win the first set 25-22. There were four ties and two lead changes during this set.

Once again Alabama led the beginning of the set, winning 10-6. The Wildcats would rally back to take the lead 18-17. Villanova would continue to lead until Alabama tied the set up at 24-24. The Wildcats won the next two points thanks to an attacking error by Alabama and a kill by Olsonoski to win the set 26-24.

The third set was back and forth between the Crimson Tide and Wildcats with only two lead changes and 15 tie scores. The largest lead for both teams during the third set was only two points. With the match tied at 20-20, Alabama go on to win the set 25-23.

Villanova would try to rally back and take the fourth set but could never tie Alabama. The score was 19-12 Crimson Tide and the Wildcats rallied back to make it 22-21 but it wasn't enough. Alabama would win the fourth set 25-22.

In the final set, Alabama jumped out to a 8-1 lead and never looked back. The Wildcats would cut into the lead a little but ultimately the Crimson Tide would win the final set 15-7.

The next match for the Wildcats is tonight at 7:30 p.m. against host Navy. The match can be streamed online.