After taking a 2-0 lead, the Blugolds could not beat the Pointers, and lost the next three sets by scores of 25-17, 25-18 and 15-6.

Errors hurt the Blugolds in the last three sets. They committed only nine compared to the Pointers’ 19 in the first two sets, but in the last three the Blugolds had 21 while the pointers had 12.

“(The Pointers) completely turned the tables in the later part of the match,” head coach Kim Wudi said.

Wudi said she was disappointed that her team wasn’t able to respond to the Pointers attack in the last three sets, and she credited some Stevens Point seniors for keeping pressure on her team.

It is not like the Blugolds to struggle finishing matches, Wudi said. A team does not get to 26-9 without knowing how to close out games.

Despite the disappointing loss, Wudi said she was pleased with how her team played the first two sets. The second set, which the Blugolds won 26-24, was a very well-played set offensively for the Pointers, but Wudi said her team was able to manage errors and hang in long enough to win points.

Although the Blugolds lost their chance at an automatic bid to the national tournament, the team is still hoping to receive one of 20 at-large tournament bids.

“The team is still practicing like they always do,” Wudi said. “We are planning on playing next week.”

There are 44 automatic bids to the NCAA Division III tournament. These bids are earned through winning conference tournaments or regular season conference titles.

In addition to those, 20 at-large bids are handed out across the nation. These bids are handed out to teams who are deemed deserving from a selection committee.

The Blugolds have put together a case for an at-large bid. In addition to being regionally ranked, Wudi said the Blugolds have only lost to ranked opponents.

“We hang our hats on that hope,” Wudi said, “as long as there are not a lot of upsets this week.”

The national tournament brackets and the at-large bids are revealed at 10 a.m. Monday.