Box Score Lynchburg, Va. -- The Hornets opened up ODAC play on Wednesday night as they squared off with the Eagles of Bridgewater. After dropping the first two sets, the Hornets snagged the third frame but were unable to force a fifth as Bridgewater won, 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 25-18).
A slow start for the Hornets saw the Eagles jump out to a quick lead at 21-7 after multiple Lynchburg errors in the first set, even though Lynchburg had more kills and assists than their opponent. A run of 13-3 late in the set in brought the Hornets to within four but a kill by Carleigh Studtmann secured the first set for the Eagles.
The second set was more of a back and forth affair as the largest lead for either team was four points. Senior Jen Garrett collected five kills in the second set, half of the Lynchburg output. Lynchburg was able to decrease their errors but Bridgewater was also able to improve as they nearly doubled their kills from the first set and gained a lead of 2-0 in sets..
Each team mounted their own run in the third set but a dink over the backline by freshman Disa Haugsdahl brought the bench and crowd back to life in Turner Gym as the Hornets went on a 5-0 run before Bridgewater was forced to call timeout. Haugsdahl's kill helped spark the Hornets as they grabbed the third set and extended the match.
The rallies continued in the fourth set as the 12th point for Bridgewater included the ball crossing the net at least 10 times and even featured a kick by sophomore Anna Moore that ended up on the Bridgewater side and continued the rally.
The Hornets pulled to within one at 16-15 but could not gain the lead and extend the match to a fifth set as the Eagles went on a 9-3 run to finish the the fourth set and claim the match.
Garrett recorded her second straight game with at least 20 kills after smashing 21 in Wednesday's loss. The senior continues to lead the ODAC in kills as she sits at 158 and accounts for more than a third of the team's offensive output.
Junior Lynn Walsh is also helping anchor the Lynchburg attack as she collected 19 assists on the night, putting her season total at 219. That is more than half of the team's assists (418) which is best in the ODAC after Wednesday night's match.
The freshmen class for the Hornets continues to impress as Lauren Stanford collected 19 digs, Haugsdahl had the second most kills on the night at eight, and Heaven Jarrell blocked three Eagle attacks.
The Hornets return to the court as they play another ODAC match when they play host to Roanoke College this Friday, Sept. 16th at 6:30 pm in Turner Gymnasium.
