Lynchburg, Va. -- University of Lynchburg's volleyball team rode the momentum of a huge third set to carry a 26-24, 23-25, 25-13, 25-17 victory over crosstown rival Randolph in Friday night's opener, but the Hornets fell in a five-set thriller to visiting Southern Virginia, 22-25, 25-15, 24-26, 25-22, 15-11, in the non-conference nightcap.

Lynchburg celebrated the program's two seniors, right side Hailey Bauer (Williamsburg, Va.) and outside Sydney Jamison (Williamsburg, Va.), in between the matches.

Freshman outside Emma Drake (Newsoms, Va.) led the Hornets on the court, however, collected 30 kills on the night while also chipping in seven digs. Junior outside Sydney Frink (Chester, Va.) also collected double-digit kills in both matches.

Junior libero Lauren Stanford (Mechanicsville, Va.) moved into third in program history in career digs, picking up 32 for the evening. She now has 1,363 over her three seasons.

THE RUNDOWN

Match 1 Final: Lynchburg 3, Randolph 1 (26-24, 23-25, 25-13, 25-17)

Match 2 Final: Southern Virginia 3, Lynchburg 2 (22-25, 25-15, 24-26, 25-22, 15-11)

Records: Lynchburg (13-14, 7-5 ODAC), Randolph (10-18, 4-8 ODAC), Southern Virginia 15-9

Venue: Wayne Proffitt Court at Turner Gymnasium, University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Va.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Match 1

• After a close first two sets, Lynchburg broke open the third with back-to-back four-point runs with freshman defensive specialist Annie Tynes (Glen Allen, Va.) and junior middle Disa Haugsdahl (Warrenton, Va.) behind the service stripe. The Hornets rode that momentum to a big fourth-set victory as well.

• Drake finished the match with 17 kills and five digs, coming one kill shy of her season-high. Frink and junior right side Lindsey Lang (Poquoson, Va.) each put down 10 kills, and Frink also collected a team-high 16 digs.

Match 2

• Lynchburg rallied late in the first set to take the lead over the Knights, but the Hornets fell flat in the second, dropping a 25-15 decision. Lynchburg bounced back in the third, clinching the set thanks to back-to-back kills by Drake. SVU rallied to take the final two sets and the match.

• Drake again led the team with 13 kills, while Frink earned her second double-double of the evening with 11 kills and 11 digs.

LOOKING AHEAD

Lynchburg will await its Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament draw. The Hornets will play Wednesday, Oct. 31 on the road in the tournament quarterfinals.

--LYN--