Maryville, Tenn. -- University of Lynchburg's volleyball team used a strong finish to secure a split on the opening day of the Maryville College Invitational in Maryville, Tenn.

Lynchburg opened the day with a 25-20, 25-20, 25-18 defeat at the hands of Rhodes. The Hornets rebounded in the afternoon, cruising to a 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-17 victory over Salem. Lynchburg's victory avenged a 3-1 loss to Salem last weekend at the Route 42 Classic.

Junior libero Lauren Stanford (Mechanicsville, Va.) led the way for the Hornets, collecting 44 digs and 10 assists between the two matches.

Junior outside Sydney Frink (Chester, Va.) led the offense with 21 kills on the day, while junior setter Erin Farina (Crozet, Va.) tallied 38 assists.

THE RUNDOWN

Match 1 Final: Rhodes 3, Lynchburg 0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-18)

Match 2 Final: Lynchburg 3, Salem 1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-17)

Records: Lynchburg 2-5, Rhodes 3-2, Salem 2-3

Venue: Alumni Gymnasium, Maryville College, Maryville, Tenn.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Match 1

• Lynchburg began the first set with a 4-0 serving run by sophomore setter Katie Cornelius (Manassas, Va.), but the Lynx closed the deficit with a run of their own and then slowly opened a lead as the set went on. The following sets followed suit as Rhodes took a trio of close ones in the sweep.

• Junior right side Lindsey Lang (Poquoson, Va.) led the Hornets' effort with seven kills, while Stanford had a match-high 12 digs.

Match 2

• After dropping a close first set, things came together for the Hornets in the second. Lynchburg's block forced 11 Spirits attack errors in the set.

• Frink put down six kills in the third set to spark the Lynchburg offense in another winning effort, and the Hornets put the match away with a dominant fourth.

• Stanford had a match-high 32 digs and five assists, while Frink reached double-digit kills for the fifth time this season with 16. Freshman outside Emma Drake (Newsoms, Va.) spiked 10 kills, and Farina chipped in 25 assists, also a match-high.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Hornets will continue competition at the Maryville Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 8 with matches against the host Saints at noon and Covenant at 4 p.m.

--LYN--