Lynchburg, Va. -- Despite double-doubles from Taylor Breeden and Abbi Leeper, University of Lynchburg's volleyball team fell in four sets, 21-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-21, to Averett Thursday evening in a non-conference affair inside Turner Gymnasium.

The Hornets started out hot, pulling ahead with a 5-0 run midway through the first set, to win 25-21 behind four kills each from junior Emma Drake and freshman Paige O'Donnell.

Averett controlled the second set from the outset, leaping ahead 7-1. Lynchburg closed the gap to 9-8, but the Cougars rattled off an 8-0 run to even the match with a comfortable 25-17 win.

Lynchburg responded in the third, jumping ahead 17-10, but the visitors again stormed back to take the lead at 21-20 and, eventually, the set.

The fourth stanza was close the whole way, but AU closed with four straight points to cinch the match.

Leeper, a sophomore, collected 12 kills and 18 digs for the Hornets, while the freshman Breeden dished out 40 assists to go with 15 digs. Junior libero Flinn Christian (20) and junior defensive specialist Annie Tynes (11) also chipped in double-digit digs for Lynchburg.

O'Donnell registered a collegiate-best 11 kills, while Drake added nine. Senior middle Natalie Lavelle contributed nine kills, three aces, and three blocks as well.

Lynchburg (3-2) will take a week away from match play before returning to Old Dominion Athletic Conference play Thursday, March 25 with a trip across town to rival Randolph College. The match is set for 5 p.m.

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--LYN--